Biomedical subjects

J L Zautcke

Publications and source records attributed to J L Zautcke.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1991

Driving under the influence--a level-I trauma center's experience.

Alcohol-impaired driving is a major issue confronting today's society. New legislation is emerging to help curtail this ongoing problem. To evaluate the legislative effects in terms of outcome pertaining to injured drivers, we analyzed the records of 116 consecutive motor vehicle drivers who were admitted to our trauma center over a 16-month period. Medical reports, police reports, and drivers' abstracts were reviewed. Of the 116 drives, 61 (53%) had blood alcohol concentrations that exceeded the legal limit (blood alcohol level greater than or equal to 100 mg/dL) on arrival at the emergency department. Only four of these patients were ticketed for driving under the influence and received the mandatory suspension of their driver's license. None was convicted of this offense, which carries criminal charges and a revocation of the driver's license. Mechanisms for efficient collection of blood specimens and mandatory occurrence reporting are two recommendations that merit investigation to obviate further escape of injured, intoxicated drivers from the legal net. In addition, alcohol rehabilitation and education cannot be overlooked and should warrant strong societal support.

Accidents, Traffic↗

PubMed1990

A review of prehospital care litigation in a large metropolitan EMS system.

A retrospective review of all claims brought against a large, metropolitan emergency medical services (EMS) system related to paramedic-patient encounters during the 12-year period from 1976 through 1987 was undertaken to review and describe the incidence and types of malpractice claims. During this period, EMS units responded to approximately 2 million calls and transported more than 1 million patients. Sixty claims occurred during the incidence study period (1976 through 1985). The overall litigation rate was one lawsuit per 27,371 paramedic-patient encounters and one lawsuit per 17,995 patient transports. While the total number of runs and transports did not change significantly during the study period, the data indicate a trend of increasing claims filed against the prehospital care provider. To date, 26 cases (38%) have been settled with the majority involving either no monetary awards or nominal out-of-court settlements.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1986

Chinese restaurant syndrome: a review.

CRS is a benign, self-limited process that has an excellent prognosis for immediate and rapid recovery. While questions remain about exactly who is susceptible, how much MSG is needed, and even whether MSG is the sole etiologic agent, there appears to be little reason to embark on an extensive workup and treatment regimen with a presumptive diagnosis of MSG intoxication. Rather, knowledge of CRS and recognition of its associated signs and symptoms and its clinical course are important.

Glutamates↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Paramedic skill decay.

To determine the amount of skill deterioration in paramedics, 40 graduates from three consecutive classes of Chicago City-Wide Paramedic training programs were tested. Examinations consisted of the practical aspects of airway management, spinal immobilization, and intravenous fluid therapy identical to their school final examination. As a group, study scores were significantly lower than graduation scores. However, in only two areas were there individuals performing below acceptable levels. These were in spinal immobilization with extrication and extremity immobilization. The continuing education and recertification process need to develop reliable methods to identify and then correct deficiencies in performance levels of system participants.

Allied Health Personnel↗