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C R Boyd

Publications and source records attributed to C R Boyd.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

A five-year retrospective study of admissions to a trauma center in southeast Georgia.

A five-year retrospective review of a computerized trauma registry at Memorial Medical Center, Inc. (MMC), the designated Level I Trauma Center of Region IX EMS, was accomplished to identify patterns of epidemiology and use of our regional trauma center. All trauma admissions from 1983 through 1987 were reviewed with respect to mechanism of injury, age, gender, outcome, mode of prehospital transport, and referral source. Seventy-five percent of 4862 admissions were due to blunt trauma. Sixty percent were brought directly to the trauma center; 40% were interhospital transfers from outside the local area. The average length of stay was 12 days. Retrospective review of trauma registry data is helpful in determining the use and quality of care of a regional trauma center.

Georgia↗

Emergency interhospital transport of the major trauma patient: air versus ground.

A prospective cohort study was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of air transport for major trauma patients when transferred to a trauma center from a rural Emergency Department. The null hypothesis evaluated was that there was no difference in outcome for patients transported by helicopter EMS (HEMS) when compared to patients transported by conventional ground EMS. The dependent variable of outcome was studied using the TRISS method in a group of 872 consecutive trauma patients admitted after long-distance transfer. Of this group, 110 patients transported by ground and 103 patients transported by air met the inclusion criteria. The ground EMS group had a mean TS of 14.4, a mean ISS of 25.2, and a mean Ps of 0.867. TRISS predicted 15 deaths and there were 15 actual deaths. The HEMS group had a mean TS of 11.4, a mean ISS of 34.9, and a mean Ps of 0.587. There were 46 predicted deaths and 33 actual deaths. This 25.4% reduction in predicted mortality was significant (Z = 3.95; p less than 0.001). Stratification of patients into Probability of Survival (Ps) bins allowed for outcome evaluation of groups with similar levels of injury severity. The benefit of HEMS transport was seen only in the patients with a probability of survival of less than 90%. We conclude that the major trauma patients transported by HEMS had a better outcome than those transported by ground EMS. The benefit seen with HEMS was directly related to injury severity and was demonstrated only in the patients with a Ps of less than 0.90.

Adult↗

Head injury at the southeastern Georgia Regional Trauma Center: a three-year review.

The impact of head injury on our trauma center is significant because of the large number of cases with their heavy utilization of trauma center resources. Head injury also exerts a major influence on the Trauma Center in a rural area since it serves as a major provider of care for the head injured over a wide geographical area. Mortality rates seen in this population compare favorably with contemporary data from other studies using GCS and Head AIS as indicators of level of injury.

Craniocerebral Trauma↗

Pneumoperitoneum and an acute abdominal condition caused by spontaneous perforation of a pyometra in an elderly woman: a case report.

Pyometra, a collection of purulent material in the uterus, is an uncommon gynecologic entity. Spontaneous perforation of the uterus is an infrequent complication of pyometra, most often the result of malignant conditions in the uterus. We report the case of an elderly woman who had an acute abdominal condition and pneumoperitoneum due to a ruptured pyometra resulting from a degenerative and infected leiomyoma. Although uterine disease is a rare cause of an acute abdominal condition and pneumoperitoneum in the elderly, a perforated pyometra must be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Abdomen, Acute↗

Payor mix of trauma patients at a rural-metropolitan regional trauma center: a three-year experience.

The development of a statewide trauma system will depend on designation of community hospitals as trauma centers. The financial impact of such designation will be a prime concern. The payor mix of trauma patients will be one of the deciding factors as to whether hospitals will agree to accept designation. A three-year review of payor class on discharge for 2,605 trauma and 55,041 nontrauma admissions to a nonuniversity teaching hospital is presented. Sixty-four percent of all trauma admissions had third-party payor insurance coverage, compared with 72% of all nontrauma admissions (P less than .00001). Twenty-seven percent of trauma admissions were for penetrating injury. Sixty-eight percent of patients admitted for blunt trauma had third-party coverage, while 50% of those admitted for penetrating trauma had third-party coverage. Total commercial insurance coverage was higher for trauma patients than for nontrauma admissions. The payor class mix for trauma patients presented may be representative of similar institutions in a similar geographic setting and may offer assistance to hospitals considering the financial impact of trauma center designation.

Adolescent↗

Evaluating trauma care: the TRISS method. Trauma Score and the Injury Severity Score.

Evaluation of trauma care must be an integral part of any system designed for care of seriously injured patients. However, outcome review should offer comparability to national standards or norms. The TRISS method offers a standard approach for evaluating outcome of trauma care. Anatomic, physiologic, and age characteristics are used to quantify probability of survival as related to severity of injury. TRISS offers a means of case identification for quality assurance review on a local basis, as well as a means of comparison of outcome for different populations of trauma patients. Methods for calculating statistics associated with TRISS are presented. The Z and M statistics are explained with the nonstatistician in mind. We feel this article is a source for those interested in developing or upgrading trauma care evaluation.

Age Factors↗

Plasma CEA, tumor CEA, and tumor histology.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) has been thought to be a diagnostic and prognostic indicator of colorectal cancer. Initial descriptions of CEA as a tumor specific antigen suggests a relationship between tumor CEA and circulating plasma CEA. To define the relationship between CEA and colorectal carcinoma, we have studied the CEA concentration of preoperative plasma, tumor tissue, and normal bowel distant from tumor in 35 patients who had clinically curative resections. Tumor histology was evaluated for Dukes class, histologic grade, necrosis, and vessel invasion. Regression analysis yielded no evidence of correlation between tumor CEA and plasma CEA. No correlation could be shown between tumor concentration of CEA and the histological parameters previously noted. CEA was found in all specimens of normal bowel. Furthermore, in 34% of the cases studied, the tumor CEA was not significantly higher than in normal bowel. No significant difference was shown when histopathological findings were compared to normal and abnormal plasma CEA values. These findings suggest the following conclusions: CEA is not tumor specific. Increased levels of CEA in tumor tissue are not a constant finding in colorectal carcinoma. Tumor levels of CEA do not appear to correlate with histologic degree of tumor differentiation. Elevated plasma levels of CEA do not necessarily connote elevated tumor tissue levels of CEA, and conversely, normal plasma levels of CEA do not necessarily mean low levels of tumor CEA.

Carcinoembryonic Antigen↗

Fat embolism revisited.

Despite continuing interest in fat embolism, the precise pathogenesis and the best treatment of the syndrome are still in doubt. To assess the effect of a high index of suspicion about the outcome of the syndrome, we have compared 37 patients seen from 1962 to 1968 with 16 patients seen from 1968 to 1974. The study of the original group of patients generated considerable interest in the diagnosis and management of the syndrome at our institution. The two groups are well matched for age, sex, and source of injury. The more recent group (1968-1974) seemed to have had more severe injuries as judged by number of fractures and need for blood transfusions. Despite this increase in severity of injury, the mortality rate for the period 1968-1974 was only 12.5% as opposed to 21% for the period 1962-1968. This improvement in mortality was achieved without resort to many of the popular pharmacologic regimens, including steroids and heparin. A high index of suspicion leading to an early diagnosis of respiratory dysfunction and aggressive supportive therapy has been responsible for the improved results.

Age Factors↗

Analysis of prehospital pediatric and adult intubation.

PURPOSE: Pediatric airway control, including endotracheal intubation (ETI), presents a clinical challenge in the prehospital setting. Endotracheal intubation is recommended for serious head injury (Glasgow Coma Scale score <=8). We evaluated the frequency of ETI in pediatric and adult patients with <=8 in the field, subsequently transported by a hospital-based, helicopter emergency medical service (HHEMS). METHODS: A retrospective, descriptive study of pediatric patients (<=14 years) and adult patients with GCS <=8 transported by HHEMS from January 1988 through March 1994 was conducted. Significance was determined by chi-square analysis. RESULTS: Inclusion criteria were met by 63 (15%) pediatric patients and 353 (85%) adults. Of the pediatric patients, 38 (60%) were intubated endotracheally; mean age was 7; mean injury severity score (ISS) was 28. Of adults, 267 (76%) were intubated endotracheally; mean age was 35; mean ISS was 33. A 16-percentage-point difference in frequency of successful ETI between groups was found to be significant (p <=0.01). Of 25 nonintubated pediatric (PED) patients, unsuccessful attempts were made on 20 (80%); 14 of 25 (56%) had significant head injuries evident on computerized tomography (CT) scan. Of 86 nonintubated adults, unsuccessful attempts were made on 29 (34%); 61 (71%) had significant head injuries. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric coma patients were not intubated with the same frequency as adults. This discrepancy between groups was secondary to a higher failure rate in the pediatric group. Intubation was attempted in 92% of pediatric patients versus 84% of the adults. Unsuccessful intubation attempts in the pediatric group, 20 of 58 (34%), were compared with 29 of 296 (9.8%) in the adult group. Difficulty in pediatric airway control may require an increased level of training and experience.

Adult↗

Airway control in trauma patients with cervical spine fractures.

INTRODUCTION: Proper airway control in trauma patients who have sustained cervical spine fracture remains controversial. PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to survey the preferred methods of airway management in cervical spine fracture (CSF) patients, to evaluate the experience of handling such patients at a level-I trauma center, and to contrast the findings with recommendations of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma. HYPOTHESIS: The methods used for control of the airway in patients with fractures of their cervical spine support the recommendation of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Committee on Trauma. METHODS: The study consisted of two parts: 1) a survey; and 2) a retrospective study. Survey questionnaires were sent to 199 members of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma and to 161 anesthesiology training programs throughout the United States. Three resuscitation scenarios were posed: 1) Elective airway--CSF--breathing spontaneously, stable vital signs; 2) Urgent airway--CSF--breathing spontaneously, unstable vital signs; and 3) Emergent airway--CSF--apneic, unstable. In addition, a three-year retrospective study was conducted at a level-I trauma center to determine the method of airway control in patients with cervical spine fractures. RESULTS: Responses to the questionnaires were received from 101 trauma surgeons (TS) and 58 anesthesiologists (ANESTH). Respondents indicated their preference of airway methods: Elective airway: Nasotracheal intubation: TS 69%, ANESTH 53%. Orotracheal intubation: TS and ANESTH 27%. Surgical airway: TS 4%. Intubation with fiberoptic bronchoscope (FOB): ANESTH 20%. Urgent airway: Nasotracheal intubation: TS 48%, ANESTH 38%. Orotracheal intubation: TS 47%, ANESTH 45%. Surgical airway: TS 4%. FOB: ANESTH 16%. Emergent airway: Orotracheal intubation: TS 81%, ANESTH 78%. Surgical Airway: TS 19%, ANESTH 7%. FOB: ANESTH 15%. The retrospective review at the trauma center indicated that 102 patients with CSF were admitted; 62 required intubation: four (6%) on the scene, seven (11%) en route, five (8%) in the emergency department, 42 (67%) in the operating room, and four (6%) on the general surgery floor. Airway control methods used were nasotracheal: 14 (22%); orotracheal: 27 (43%); FOB: 17 (27%); tracheostomy: one (2%); unknown: three (4%). No progression of the neurological status resulted from intubation. CONCLUSION: The choice of airway control in the trauma patient with CSF differs between anesthesiologists and surgeons. However, the method selected does not have an adverse affect on neurological status as long as in-line stabilization is maintained. The methods available are safe, effective, and acceptable. The recommendations of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma for airway control with suspected cervical spine injury are useful. The technique utilized is dependent upon the judgment and experience of the intubator.

Anesthesiology↗