Making the case for a paradigm shift in trauma surgery.
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Burnout, Professional↗
Biomedical subjects
Thomas J Esposito
Publications and source records attributed to Thomas J Esposito.
Do we need neurosurgical coverage in the trauma center?
The undersupply and maldistribution of neurosurgeons coupled with the apparent abandonment of trauma care by a significant number of rank and file neurosurgeons, and perhaps an over demand for their services, has created a crisis in access to neurotrauma care across the country. There is evidence to support that the immediate availability of a neurosurgeon to participate in the care of all trauma patients, including those who have documented head injury, may not be essential to providing optimal care, calling the American College of Surgeons' mandated criterion for trauma center verification into question. Given the volume, nature, and timeliness of head injury and its care, it seems this crisis can be resolved to a great extent by having trauma surgeons or other properly trained, credentialed, and monitored providers assume nonoperative, in-patient neurotrauma care when hospital admission is actually indicated. Although part of the solution lies in increased supply of neurotrauma services regardless of provider type, a second component rests in decreasing demand for these services in cases of mild and extremely severe head injury. Such a solution seems feasible and advantageous in several respects and should be seriously considered by healthcare policy makers, trauma system planners, and the leaders of the neurosurgical and trauma surgery disciplines. What is truly needed in hospitals treating trauma patients (ie, trauma centers) is a philosophy centered on patient services rather than the specific provider. What is needed is a provider who is committed, capable, and competent, who recognizes and meets the patients' needs and provides the appropriate services. These providers, regardless of pedigree, must be supported and valued by the healthcare system and society. In the future this may require regionalization of services. In some hospitals and systems the primary person responsible for providing these services will be a neurosurgeon. In others, it may not and perhaps need not be.
Brain Injuries↗
Ventilator-associated pneumonia, like real estate: location really matters.
INTRODUCTION: Previous work has demonstrated an increased risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in trauma patients after prehospital (field) intubation as compared with emergency department (ED) intubations. However, this population was not compared with patients intubated as inpatients, making data interpretation difficult. We sought to further examine predictors for the development of VAP after trauma. METHODS: A 10-year retrospective review of all patients mechanically ventilated greater than 24 hours after injury was performed. RESULTS: In all, 1,628 patients were identified, of which 1,213 (75%) were intubated as inpatients and 415 were emergently intubated (353 ED, 62 field). Overall, those intubated emergently were younger (p = 0.03) and less injured as seen by higher Glasgow Coma Scale scores (p = 0.0002), lower Injury Severity Scores (p = 0.01) and higher Revised Trauma Scores (p < 0.0001). Despite a lower injury severity, those patients emergently intubated were more likely to develop pneumonia as 22% of ED intubations and 15% of field intubations developed pneumonia, as compared with the inpatient rate of 6.5%. Pneumonia after field intubation was more likely to be community-acquired (p < 0.0001) with a significantly lower percentage of infecting enteric gram-negative rods (p < 0.0001) as compared with the inpatient and ED groups. Forward logistic regression analysis (with VAP = 1) identified inpatient intubation as protective against VAP (odds ratio 0.28, 95% CI = 0.2-0.4). Backwards logistic regression analysis further identified both field airway (odds ratio 2.29, 95% CI = 1.1-4.9) and ED airway (odds ratio 3.61, 95% CI = 2.5-5.2) as predictive of VAP. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with a population of trauma patients as inpatients, and excluding those patients mechanically ventilated less than 24 hours, patients intubated in the ED or field have a higher incidence of pneumonia, despite equivalent or lower injury severity.
Adolescent↗
The shape of things to come: results from a national survey of trauma surgeons on issues concerning their future.
BACKGROUND: This study seeks to characterize the opinions of practicing surgeons as a basis for formulating a plan to restructure the discipline of trauma surgery and its training path. METHODS: A 52-item questionnaire was administered to the membership of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma, the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma, and the Western Trauma Association. The survey tool investigated issues related to current and future practice. RESULTS: Response rate was 60%. Mean age was 49 years and 88% were male. The average time in practice is 15 years. The average workweek is 80 hours with 48% of that time devoted to clinical practice. About half take in-house call and about one-third receive an on-call stipend. The median annual number of major trauma cases was 50. The most important disincentives to entering the field were felt to be lifestyle issues and a limited scope of practice. Almost 90% felt their work as trauma surgeons was undervalued by society and the health care system. The great majority (88%) responded that the discipline of trauma surgery must change. Respondents feel this restructuring should include broader general surgery (83%) as well as limited orthopedic (60%) and neurosurgical trauma-related procedures (59%). About one-half of respondents favored in-house call (54%) and a practice model similar to emergency medicine (55%). Factors that would most enhance practice were thought to be guaranteed appropriate salary and guaranteed time away from work. Training in a broad range of skills was felt to be essential or useful to the trauma surgeon of the future, although few currently employ such a wide breadth of skills. CONCLUSIONS: Current practicing trauma surgeons feel that the discipline must change to remain viable. This change should entail broader training to allow more procedures in trauma, emergency surgery, critical care, and elective general surgery. The preferred practice model is a large, hospital-based, diversified group practice with a predictable lifestyle and guaranteed salary commensurate with effort. Inclusion of selected emergency orthopedic and neurosurgical procedures are viewed favorably, as is in-house call. Efforts to increase public perception of trauma surgery's value to society and its impending demise are warranted.
Attitude of Health Personnel↗
Predictors of the need for nephrectomy after renal trauma.
BACKGROUND: Initial management of solid organ injuries in hemodynamically stable patients is nonoperative. Therefore, early identification of those injuries likely to require surgical intervention is key. We sought to identify factors predictive of the need for nephrectomy after trauma. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of renal injuries admitted over a 12-year period to a Level I trauma center. RESULTS: Ninety-seven patients (73% male) sustained a kidney injury (mean age, 27 +/- 16; mean Injury Severity Score, 13 +/- 10). Of the 72 blunt trauma patients, 5 patients (7%) underwent urgent nephrectomy, 3 (4%) had repair and/or stenting, and 89% were observed despite a 29% laparotomy rate for associated intraabdominal injuries in this group. Twenty-five patients with penetrating trauma underwent eight nephrectomies (31%), one partial nephrectomy, and two renal repairs. Regardless of the mechanism of injury, patients requiring nephrectomy were in shock, had a higher 24-hour transfusion requirement, and were more likely to have a high-grade renal laceration (all p < 0.05). Bluntly injured patients requiring nephrectomy had more concurrent intraabdominal injuries (p < 0.0001). Overall, patients after penetrating trauma were more severely injured, had higher 24-hour transfusion requirements, and a higher nephrectomy rate (all p < 0.05). Despite a higher injury severity in the penetrating group, however, mortality was higher in the bluntly injured group (p < 0.0001). Univariate predictors for nephrectomy included: revised trauma score, injury severity score, Glasgow Coma Scale score, shock on presentation, renal injury grade, and 24-hour transfusion requirement. No patient with a mild or moderate renal injury required nephrectomy, whereas 6 of 12 (50%) grade 4 injuries and 7 of 8 (88%) grade 5 injuries required nephrectomy. Multiple logistic regression analysis confirmed penetrating injury, renal injury grade, and Glasgow Coma Scale score as predictive of nephrectomy. CONCLUSION: Overall, injury severity, severity of renal injury grade, hemodynamic instability, and transfusion requirements are predictive of nephrectomy after both blunt and penetrating trauma. Nephrectomy is more likely after penetrating injury.
Adolescent↗
Trauma surgeons practice what they preach: The NTDB story on solid organ injury management.
BACKGROUND: Recent studies advocate a nonoperative approach for hepatic and splenic trauma. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the literature has impacted surgical practice and, if so, whether or not the overall mortality of these injuries had changed. METHODS: The American College of Surgeons' National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB 4.0) was analyzed using trauma admission dates ranging from 1994 to 2003. All hepatic and splenic injuries were identified by ICD-9 codes. As renal trauma management has not changed during the study period, renal injuries were included as a control. Nonoperative management (NOM) rates and overall mortality were determined for each organ. Proportions were compared using chi analysis with significance set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: There were 87,237 solid abdominal organ injuries reported and included: 35,767 splenic, 35,510 hepatic, 15,960 renal injuries. There was a significant (p < 0.00000000005) increase in percentage of NOM for hepatic and splenic trauma whereas renal NOM remained stable for the study period. Despite an increase in NOM for splenic and hepatic injuries, mortality has remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the management of hepatic and splenic injuries has significantly changed in the past 10 years with no appreciable effect on mortality. NOM has become the standard of care for the management of hepatic and splenic trauma. The NTDB can be used to monitor changes in trauma care in response to new knowledge regarding improved outcomes.
Adolescent↗
Nutritional gain versus financial gain: The role of metabolic carts in the surgical ICU.
BACKGROUND: Adequate nutritional replacement of critically ill and injured patients is of paramount importance, as it decreases infectious morbidity and mortality. However, multiple methods of determining nutritional requirements exist, including mathematical formulas, weight based calculations, and the use of metabolic cart measurements, the latter of which is associated with significant labor and equipment costs. We hypothesized that metabolic cart measurements, despite increasing the cost of care, would more accurately determine nutritional requirements in a critically ill population than formulaic or weight-based calculations. METHODS: Consecutive metabolic cart measurements were prospectively obtained on 59 critically ill surgery and trauma patients, and compared with predicted values as determined by the Harris-Benedict equation and weight-based calculations. Comparison was made to actual resting energy expenditure data acquired via indirect calorimetry data obtained from serial metabolic carts. RESULTS: There were 59 patients who formed the study population, with 37% of the population having two or more metabolic cart readings (total number of cart readings was 106). There was no statistically significant difference between the metabolic cart results, the predicted resting energy expenditure as calculated by the Harris-Benedict equation adjusted with a factor of 1.5, and a weight based calculation at 30 kcal/kg adjusted body weight. Metabolic requirements were stable over time (4-48 days) without significant variation. Nutritional parameters, as evaluated by the visceral proteins prealbumin and transferrin significantly increased with time in injured patients. CONCLUSIONS: Either 30 kcal/kg adjusted body weight or the resting energy expenditure calculated from the Harris-Benedict equation multiplied by 1.5 adequately predicts the nutritional requirements of critically ill surgery and trauma patients. The addition of metabolic cart data does not provide any additional information in the determination of caloric needs in the critically ill and injured patient. In this population, omission of metabolic cart data would have saved 33,000 dollars without adversely affecting patient outcome.
Adult↗
Socioeconomic factors, medicolegal issues, and trauma patient transfer trends: Is there a connection?
BACKGROUND: A number of forces have come together to effect a perceived change in the volume and nature of transfers to Level I trauma centers recently. These may have little to do with the actual clinical need. This study seeks to verify whether a change in the profile of trauma transfers has occurred and to characterize the nature of any changes. METHODS: Retrospective review of state trauma registry data from 1999 through 2003 including day and time of transfer, Injury Severity Score (ISS), primary ICD-9, payor status, and mortality. The transfer group (TTP) was compared with the general population of trauma patients (ATP) and variables trended. Analysis employed descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Average malpractice insurance premium charges and measures of subspecialty surgeon participation in trauma care were also trended. RESULTS: During the study period ATP increased by 6% and TTP by 34%. The majority of transfers were from Level II to Level I trauma centers. Mean ISS increased from 9.1 to 10.0 (1.2%) in ATP and from 11.3 to 12.8 (2%) in TTP. The mortality rate over time was essentially unchanged for both groups; 4% ATP versus 5% TTP. Proportion of self-pay patients in each group remained relatively static between 20% to 25%. The number of patients with head injury (HI) increased by 14%, their transfer rate increased by 44%. Orthopedic injury (OI) prevalence increased 25% whereas transfers increased by 48%. Mean ISS increased from 13.7 to 14.8 and 11.1 to 12.9, respectively. The variables most significant for predicting transfer were arrival at initial emergency department between 3:00 pm and 7:00 am and OI or HI. Concomitantly, the mean malpractice insurance premium paid by general, orthopedic, and neurosurgeons each rose by approximately 90% during the study period. Waivers of regulatory compliance were requested by 28% of trauma centers (72% Level II) with 39% of requests related to lack of neurosurgery services. CONCLUSION: During the study period, a disproportionate increase in TTP occurred in comparison to ATP. This finding is more pronounced in patients with HI and OI. Findings do not appear attributable to changes in severity or proportion of self payors. The ISS of TTP is below 16. Concomitantly, there was a precipitous rise in malpractice premiums and a functional decrease in neurosurgeons. This suggests a multifactorial reluctance or inability of initial hospitals to care for patients they are theoretically capable of treating, placing undo burden on Level I centers.
Humans↗
Half-a-dozen ribs: the breakpoint for mortality.
BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that the number of rib fractures independently impacted patient pulmonary morbidity and mortality. METHODS: The National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB, v. 3.0 American College of Surgeons, Chicago, IL) was queried for patients sustaining 1 or more rib fractures. Data abstracted included the number of rib fractures by International Classification of Diseases-9 code, Injury Severity Score, the occurrence of pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary embolus, pneumothorax, aspiration pneumonia, empyema, and associated injuries by abbreviated injury score, the need for mechanical ventilation, number of ventilator days, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), hospital LOS, mortality, and use of epidural analgesia. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student t test and linear regression analysis. Statistical significance was defined as a P value of less than .05. RESULTS: The NTDB included 731,823 patients. Of these, 64,750 (9%) had a diagnosis of 1 or more fractured ribs. Thirteen percent (n = 8,473) of those with rib fractures developed 13,086 complications, of which 6,292 (48%) were related to a chest-wall injury. Mechanical ventilation was required in 60% of patients for an average of 13 days. Hospital LOS averaged 7 days and ICU LOS averaged 4 days. The overall mortality rate for patients with rib fractures was 10%. The mortality rate increased (P < .02) for each additional rib fracture. The same pattern was seen for the following morbidities: pneumonia (P < .01), acute respiratory distress syndrome (P < .01), pneumothorax (P < .01), aspiration pneumonia (P < .01), empyema (P < .04), ICU LOS (P < .01), and hospital LOS for up to 7 rib fractures (P < .01). An association between increasing hospital LOS and number of rib fractures was not shown (P = .19). Pulmonary embolism also was not related to the number of rib fractures (P = .06). Epidural analgesia was used in 2.2% (n = 1,295) of patients with rib fractures. A reduction in mortality with epidural analgesia was shown at 2, 4, and 6 through 8 rib fractures. The use of epidural analgesia had no impact on the frequency of pulmonary complications. When stratifying data by Injury Severity Score and the presence or absence of rib fractures the mortality rates were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing the number of rib fractures correlated directly with increasing pulmonary morbidity and mortality. Patients sustaining fractures of 6 or more ribs are at significant risk for death from causes unrelated to the rib fractures. Epidural analgesia was associated with a reduction in mortality for all patients sustaining rib fractures, particularly those with more than 4 fractures, but this modality of treatment appears to be underused.
Anesthesia, Epidural↗
Factors affecting emergency department assessment and management of pain in children.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate statewide emergency department assessment and management of pain in pediatric patients as a quality improvement initiative. METHODS: 2002 Survey of Illinois Hospital emergency department's pediatric pain assessment and management strategies, in conjunction with a retrospective chart review of children, ages 0 to 15 years, treated for an extremity fracture. Survey results were available for 123 (59.4%) hospitals; 933 charts (107 hospitals) were reviewed for pain management. Survey results were compared with practices identified by chart review. RESULTS: Use of a pain assessment scale estimated by the survey was 92%, compared with 59% use by chart review. Use of pain assessment scales for infants was limited. Fifty percent of patients in moderate to severe pain would be offered an analgesic. Six- to 15-year-old children would be offered opioids more often than children aged 0 to 1 and 2 to 5 years. Offering higher potency narcotic analgesics was associated with patient's age, geographic location of the facility, and emergency department volume. Providing an analgesic (odds ratio 4.53, 95% confidence interval 2.89-7.10), offering supportive care (odds ratio 2.37, 95% confidence interval 1.44-3.89), and pediatric-focused annual nurse competencies (odds ratio 1.90, 95% confidence interval 1.18-3.06) correlated with reduction of the patient's pain. CONCLUSIONS: Disparity exists between perceived and documented emergency department pain management practices for children. Quality improvement initiatives should focus on improving pain assessment in infants, treating moderate to severe pain in children of all age groups, and education of health care providers in pain management strategies. Resources should target health care processes effective in decreasing pediatric pain.
Adolescent↗
Neurosurgical coverage: essential, desired, or irrelevant for good patient care and trauma center status.
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND DATA: As a result of many factors, the availability of neurosurgeons (NS) to care for trauma patients (TP) is increasingly sparse. This has precipitated a crisis in access to neurosurgical support in many trauma systems, often placing undue burden on level I centers. This study examines the profile of head-injured (HI) trauma patients and their actual need for the specific expertise of a neurosurgeon. METHODS: The National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) was queried for specific information relating to the volume, nature, timeliness, and outcome of HI TP. Study patients were identified by reported International Classification of Diseases, 9th Edition (ICD-9) codes denoting open (OHI) or closed head injury (CHI) in isolation or in combination with other injuries. RESULTS: Total number of NTDB patients studied was 731,823, of which 213,357 (29%) had a reported HI. CHI represented 22% of all TP and 74% of HI. OHI was reported in 8% of all TP and was 26% of HI. Craniotomy (crani) was performed in 3.6% of all HI (1% of all TP). This was in 2.8% of OHI and 2.6% of CHI. Mean Glasgow Coma Scale score (GCS) of crani patients was 9, and 13 for the noncrani group. Subdural hematoma occurred in 18% of HI (5% of TP), with 13% undergoing crani. Epidural hematoma occurred in 10% of HI (3% of all TP), with 17% undergoing crani. Median time to OR for all cranis was 195 minutes (195 for CHI; 183 for OHI). Of all cranis, 6.5% were performed within 1 hour of hospital admission. Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring was reportedly used in 0.7% of TP and 2.2% of HI. CONCLUSIONS: Care of TP with HI rarely requires the explicit expertise and immediate presence of a neurosurgeon due to volume and nature of care. HI was diagnosed in <30% of TP reported to the NTDB. Over 95% required nonoperative management alone, with only 1% of all TP and 2%-4% of HI TP requiring crani and/or ICP monitoring. Immediate availability of NS is not essential if a properly trained and credentialed trauma surgeon or other health care provider can appropriately monitor patients for neurologic demise and effect early transfer to a center capable of, and committed to, operative and postoperative neurosurgical care. A subgroup of patients known to have a high propensity for the specific expertise of a neurosurgeon may be able to be identified for direct transport to these committed centers.
Craniocerebral Trauma↗
Ventilator-associated pneumonia in injured patients: do you trust your Gram's stain?
BACKGROUND: The results of sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid Gram's stain have been used to guide presumptive antibiotic therapy for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in injured patients, despite reported variability in sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy. Our aim was to evaluate the utility of Gram's stain of BAL fluid in the diagnosis of VAP. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of all mechanically ventilated trauma patients who developed pneumonia over a 5-year period in whom Gram's stain and final culture data were available. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-five records with complete data sets were reviewed. VAP was diagnosed by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria and confirmed by BAL and quantitative culture in all patients. Overall accuracy of Gram's stain in diagnosing VAP for any organism was 88% (137 true-positives). When assessed for the ability to predict pneumonia caused by a specific organism, the accuracy decreased significantly, with only 63% of Gram-negative VAPs and 72% of Gram-positive VAPs accurately identified by Gram's stain. However, the absence of Gram-positive organism of Gram's stain excludes Gram-positive VAP in 80% of patients. CONCLUSION: All trauma patients should be covered presumptively for gram-negative organisms, as they encompass 70% of infections, but are not reliably identified by Gram's stain. As 88% of VAP can be identified by the presence of any organism on Gram's stain, it may be useful in the early diagnosis of VAP but cannot reliably be used to guide presumptive therapy.
Adult↗
The position of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma on the future of trauma surgery.
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Humans↗
Old fashion clinical judgment in the era of protocols: is mandatory chest X-ray necessary in injured patients?
BACKGROUND: The ATLS Course advocates that injured patients have a chest x-ray (CXR) to identify potential injuries. The purpose of this study was to correlate clinical indications and clinician judgment with CXR results to ascertain if a selective policy would be beneficial. METHODS: Patients treated at a Level I trauma center over 12 months were prospectively evaluated. Before obtaining a CXR, signs, symptoms, and history suggestive of thoracic injury were identified. Additionally, a trauma surgeon (TS) recorded whether in their judgment a CXR was clinically indicated. These findings were compared with final CXR diagnoses. The sensitivity of individual clinical indicators, combinations of clinical indicators, and TS judgment for CXR abnormalities were calculated with a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: During the twelve-month study period, data were acquired on 772 patients (age 0-102 years). Seventy percent were male and 86.0% were injured by blunt force. Only 29% (N = 222) of the patients manifested one or more of the clinical indicators (signs and symptoms). The negative predictive value for the TS judgment was 98.2% which was superior to the clinical indicators. Reliance on the opinion of the TS to determine the need for a CXR would have eliminated 49.9% of CXRs and avoided hospital and radiologist reading charges totaling $100,078.22. CONCLUSION: Mandatory CXR for all trauma patients has a low yield for abnormal findings. A selective policy relying on surgical judgment guided by clinical indicators is safe and efficacious while reducing cost and conserving resources.
Accidental Falls↗
Combined percutaneous and angiographic thrombosis of a traumatic hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm in a child.
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Abdominal Injuries↗
Reasons to omit digital rectal exam in trauma patients: no fingers, no rectum, no useful additional information.
BACKGROUND: Performance of digital rectal examination (DRE) on all trauma patients during the secondary survey has been advocated by the Advanced Trauma Life Support course. However, there is no clear evidence of its efficacy as a diagnostic test for traumatic injury. The purpose of this study is to analyze the value of a policy mandating DRE on all trauma patients as part of the initial evaluation process and to discern whether it can routinely be omitted. METHODS: Prospective study of patients treated at a Level I trauma center. Clinical indicators other than DRE (OCI) denoting gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB), urethral disruption (UD), or spinal cord injury (SCI) were sought and correlated with DRE findings suggesting the same. Impression of the examining physician as to the need and value of DRE was also studied. Patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale Score (GCS) of 3 and pharmacologically paralyzed were excluded from the SCI analyses. UD analysis included only males. RESULTS: In all, 512 cases were studied (72% male, 28% female) ranging in age from 2 months to 102 years. Thirty index injuries were identified in 29 patients (6%), 17 SCI (3%), 11 GIB (2%), and 2 UD (0.4%). DRE findings agreed positively or negatively with one or more OCI of index injuries in 93% of all cases (92% seeking SCI, 90% seeking GIB, 96% seeking UD). Overall, negative predictive value of DRE was the same as that of OCI, 99% (SCI 98% versus 99%, GIB, 97% versus 99%, UD both 100%). Positive predictive value for DRE was 27% and for OCI 24% (SCI 47% versus 44%, GIB 15% versus 18%, UD 33% versus 6%). Efficiency of DRE was 94% and OCI was 93%. For confirmed index injuries, indicative DRE findings were associated with 41% and OCI 73% (SCI 36% versus 79%, GIB 36% versus 73%, UD 50% versus 100%). OCIs were present in 81% of index injury cases. In all index injury cases where OCIs were absent, positive DRE findings were also absent. DRE was felt to give additional information in 5% of all cases and change management in 4%. In cases where the clinician felt DRE was definitely indicated (29%) it reportedly gave no additional information in 85% and changed management in 11%. CONCLUSION: DRE is equivalent to OCI for confirming or excluding the presence of index injuries. When index injuries are demonstrated, OCI is more likely to be associated with their presence. DRE rarely provides additional accurate or useful information that changes management. Omission of DRE in virtually all trauma patients appears permissible, safe, and advantageous. Elimination of routine DRE from the secondary survey will presumably conserve time and resources, minimize unpleasant encounters, and protect patients and staff from the potential for further harm without any significant negative impact on care and outcome.
Adolescent↗
Analysis of prior health system contacts as a harbinger of subsequent fatal injury in American Indians.
CONTEXT: Many American Indian nations, tribes, and bands are at an elevated risk for premature death from unintentional injury. Previous research has documented a relationship between alcohol-related injury and subsequent injury death among predominately urban samples. The presence or nature of such a relationship has not been documented among American Indians living in the northern plains. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify and characterize any association between prior injury and/or alcohol use contacts with the Indian Health Service (IHS) and subsequent alcohol-related injury death that may suggest opportunities for mitigation. METHODS: Death certificates of American Indians who died from injury (ICD-9-E 800-999) in a rural IHS area over 6 consecutive years were linked to IHS acute-care facility records and toxicology reports. Deaths and prior IHS contacts were stratified by alcohol use as a contributing factor. Of the 526 injury deaths involving American Indians in the IHS area studied, 411 (78%) were successfully linked to IHS records. One hundred fifty-two of these cases met the inclusion criteria, with an additional 98 cases identified as a comparison group. FINDINGS: No differences in alcohol use at time of death between groups with and without prior health care contact (for injury or alcohol) could be determined (81% vs 73%). A significant relationship was found between previous visits for acute or chronic alcohol use and subsequent alcohol-related fatalities (P =.01). CONCLUSIONS: Based on these findings, injury-prevention activities in the population studied should be initiated at the time of any health-system contact in which alcohol use is identified. Intervention strategies should be developed that convey the immediate risk of death from injury in these patients.
Adolescent↗
Ten year experience of burn, trauma, and combined burn/trauma injuries comparing outcomes.
BACKGROUND: Percent total body surface area (TBSA) burn, inhalation injury (INH), and age all have been shown to be independent predictors of mortality in burn victims. Little is known regarding patients sustaining combined thermal and mechanical injuries in relation to either injury sustained in isolation or with regard to these variables. This descriptive study profiles the 10-year experience of a single American Burn Association/American College of Surgeons verified Level I trauma and burn center and the treatment of this patient population. METHODS: A retrospective review of all burn and trauma patients admitted between 1990 and 2000. Patients were divided into three groups; Burn only (B), Trauma only (T), and combined Burn/Trauma (B/T). Groups were compared with respect to age, TBSA burn, length of stay (LOS), Injury Severity Score (ISS), INH and mortality. These groups were then compared with B, T and B/T patients from the National Burn Repository (NBR) and National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB). Student's t test and chi tests were performed, as well as multiple logistic regression to identify independent predictors of mortality. p <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Through our trauma registry, 24,093 patients were identified (T=22,284, B=1717 and B/T=92). When comparing B and T, there was no difference in age, LOS, ISS, or mortality to those patients in the NBR or NTDB. B/T patients showed significantly increased percentage with INH (B/T=44.5% versus 11%), increased LOS (B/T=18 days versus 13.7 B and 5.3 T) and increased mortality (B/T=28.3% versus 9.8% B and 4.3% T). B/T were also significantly older (B/T=40.1 years versus 31.0 B and 35.1 T). When these variables are compared with the NBR and the NTDB benchmarks, mortality (28.3% versus 11.6% NBR and 7.0% NTDB) and ISS (23 versus 11.7 NTDB) were significantly higher with no difference in age (40.1 versus 33.4 NTDB, 35.9 NBR), LOS (18 days versus 23.3 NBR) or TBSA (20.8% versus 19.5% NBR). Multiple logistic regression comparing TBSA, age, ISS and INH of survivors versus non-survivors identified only ISS as an independent predictor of mortality. CONCLUSION: B combined with T presents a rare injury pattern that has a synergistic effect on mortality. Physicians and caregivers should be aware of a 2-3 fold increase in the incidence of INH in this population, and increased mortality despite similar TBSA burned when compared with patients with B as the sole mechanism; ISS appears to be an independent predictor of mortality in this combined injury pattern.
Adolescent↗