Injury
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Review Meta Analysis
Do compensation processes impair mental health? A meta-analysis.
Victims who are involved in a compensation processes generally have more health complaints compared to victims who are not involved in a compensation process. Previous research regarding the effect of compensation processes has concentrated on the effect on physical health. This meta-analysis focuses on the effect of compensation processes on mental health. ⋯ Being involved in a compensation process is associated with higher mental health complaints but three-quarters of the difference appeared to be already present at baseline. The findings of this study should be interpreted with caution because of the limited quality of evidence. The difference at baseline may be explained by a selection bias or more anger and blame about the accident in the compensation group. The difference between baseline and follow-up may be explained by secondary gain and secondary victimisation. Future research should involve assessment of exposure to compensation processes, should analyse and correct for baseline differences, and could examine the effect of time, compensation scheme design, and claim settlement on (mental) health.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Liver cirrhosis but not alcohol abuse is associated with impaired outcome in trauma patients - a retrospective, multicentre study.
Liver cirrhosis has been shown to be associated with impaired outcome in patients who underwent elective surgery. We therefore investigated the impact of alcohol abuse and subsequent liver cirrhosis on outcome in multiple trauma patients. ⋯ Patients suffering from liver cirrhosis presented impaired outcome after multiple injuries. Pre-existing condition such as cirrhosis should be implemented in trauma scores to assess the individual mortality risk profile.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Evaluation of TEG(®) and RoTEM(®) inter-changeability in trauma patients.
Massive haemorrhage is a leading cause of preventable deaths in trauma. Traumatic coagulopathy is frequently present early after trauma, and is associated with increased mortality. A number of recent trials suggest that viscoelastic haemostatic assays (VHA), such as thromboelastography and thromboelastometry, are useful tools in guiding transfusion. Treatment algorithms exist for the use of VHAs but are not validated in traumatic haemorrhage. In this study we examined the inter-changeability of two commonly used VHAs, TEG(®) and RoTEM(®). ⋯ Inter-changeability between TEG(®) and RoTEM(®) is limited in the trauma setting. Agreement seems poorer when clinicians operate the devices. Development and validation of separate treatment algorithms for the two devices is required.
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Pneumothoraces are a common injury pattern in emergency medicine. Rapid and safe identification can reduce morbidity and mortality. A new handheld, battery powered device, the Pneumoscan (CE 561036, PneumoSonics Inc., Cleveland, OH, USA), using micropower impulse radar (MIR) technology, has recently been introduced in Europe for the rapid and reliable detection of PTX. However, this technology has not yet been tested in trauma patients. This is the first quality control evaluation to report on emergency room performance of a new device used in the trauma setting. ⋯ The Pneumoscan is an easy to use handheld technology with reliable results. In this series, the sensitivity to detect a PTX by the Pneumoscan was higher than by clinical examination and chest X-ray. Further studies with higher case numbers and a prospective study design are needed to confirm our findings.
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Early transfusion (ET=within 24h) has been shown to be required in approximately 5% of trauma patients. Critical care transfusion guidelines control transfusion triggers by evidence based cut-offs. Empirical guidelines influence decision making for ET in trauma. ⋯ The prospective evaluation of acutely transfused trauma patients showed a distinct pattern of transfusion triggers as the patient passes from ED to the OT and arrives to the ICU. The conventional transfusion trigger (haemoglobin level) is not appropriate in ET as early transfusion triggers are based on vital signs, blood gas results, injury patterns and anticipated major bleeding.