Injury
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Editorial Historical Article
Pearls and pitfalls of open access: The immortal life of Henrietta Lacks.
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The purpose of this study was to review the inpatient traumatic brain injury (TBI) screening program at a Role IV regional resource trauma center. TBI has been coined the "signature wound" during current U.S. combat operations. All patients injured in Iraq or Afghanistan who transit through Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) undergo an initial TBI screen regardless of anatomic injury. The incidence and factors associated with positive screening for concussion (physical event+alteration of consciousness (AOC)) and TBI diagnoses were examined. ⋯ Level III, Therapeutic.
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Computed tomography (CT) of the cervical spine (C-spine) is routinely ordered for low-impact, non-penetrating or "simple" assault at our institution and others. Common clinical decision tools for C-spine imaging in the setting of trauma include the National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study (NEXUS) and the Canadian Cervical Spine Rule for Radiography (CCR). While NEXUS and CCR have served to decrease the amount of unnecessary imaging of the C-spine, overutilization of CT is still of concern. ⋯ Cervical spine CT is overutilized in the setting of simple assault, despite established clinical decision rules. With no fractures identified regardless of other factors, the likelihood that a CT of the cervical spine will identify clinically significant findings in the setting of "simple" assault is extremely low, approaching zero. At minimum, adherence to CCR and NEXUS within this patient population would serve to reduce both imaging costs and population radiation dose exposure.
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Self-harm and intentional injuries represent a significant public health concern. People who survive serious injury from self-harm can experience poor outcomes that negatively impact on their daily life. The aim of this study was to investigate a cohort of major trauma patients hospitalised for self-harm in Victoria, and to identify risk factors for longer term mortality, functional recovery and return to work. ⋯ The vast majority of major trauma patients who self-harmed and survived to hospital discharge were alive at two years post-injury, yet only half of this cohort returned to work and just over a third of patients experienced a good recovery.
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To describe population based trends and clinical characteristics of injury related presentations to Emergency Departments (EDs). ⋯ Critical injuries in the elderly have risen dramatically in recent years. A minority of critical injuries present directly to major trauma centres. Trauma service provision models need revision to ensure appropriate patient care. Injury surveillance is needed to understand the external causes of injury presenting to hospital.