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V G Hardwick

Publications and source records attributed to V G Hardwick.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Transport of the injured child.

This article summarizes current recommendations regarding prehospital stabilization and transport of the injured child. Transportation alternatives are described, as well as indications for interhospital transport. A checklist for troubleshooting common problems is included, which anticipates events likely to cause morbidity en route. Proper communication is essential to a successful transport, as is a quality review of each completed transport. Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) grants have enabled many states to enhance pediatric prehospital education for providers.

Ambulances↗
PubMed1995

Hazards to children riding in the back of pickup trucks.

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to identify the spectrum of injuries and risks associated with children riding in the back of pickup trucks and stimulate the medical and legislative community to adopt laws aimed at protective interventions for this type of travel. METHODS: Patients were identified and data collected retrospectively from trauma registries at the two major university urban trauma centers in Kentucky. RESULTS: From 1988 to 1993, 33 patients less than 18 years old were ejected from the back of pickup trucks. The majority were males older than 10 years. Injuries occurred predominantly during summer, in early evening, and in rural areas. Eleven patients were ejected during a collision, 19 were ejected from a moving truck, and 3 fell from a stationary truck. The head was the predominant organ injured. The average ISS score was 12.0 (+/- 7.5). The length of stay in the hospital varied from 1 to 84 days with 13 patients requiring intensive care. Three patients died and 3 required rehabilitation therapy. CONCLUSION: We conclude that (1) Children riding in pickup truck beds are at serious risk of being ejected from the vehicle; (2) children are frequently ejected from truck beds in non-crash events; and (3) continued attention should be directed to enacting stronger legislation limiting passenger transport in pickup truck beds.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed1994

Evaluation of minor head injury in children.

The authors' goal was to determine criteria for hospitalization for children with minor head injuries. A retrospective review was performed of the hospital records of 401 children with isolated minor head injuries who were admitted to a level I pediatric trauma center between July 1988 and December 1990. Specific information regarding each patient was documented, including demographic data, pertinent physical findings, diagnostic studies, criteria for admission, and hospitalization costs. Fifty-one patients with a mechanism of injury compatible with minor head injury, a brief or no loss of consciousness, a Glasgow coma score of 15, and no abnormalities on radiographic examination did not have neurological complications. The authors believe that these 51 patients could have been discharged from the hospital to responsible parents, thereby decreasing the costs of hospitalization. Prospective studies to substantiate these data and determine which patients should be hospitalized are warranted.

Child↗