Injury
-
This project set out to focus on ocular (globe) and peri-ocular trauma and to describe the spectrum of injuries seen in a busy South African trauma unit and to document their management and outcome. ⋯ Although the management of immediate life and organ threatening injuries takes priority, ocular and peri-ocular trauma may damage a number of important structures and their comprehensive management requires a multi-disciplinary team of specialists or, in austere environments, a font-line medical team with a diverse skill set.
-
Percutaneous vertebral augmentation is a common therapeutic approach for osteoporotic or osteolytic vertebral fractures. Due to the variable pedicle anatomy two different approaches, the transpedicular and the extrapedicular approach have been established. In particular, in the middle and upper thoracic spine, percutaneous procedures are challenging because of difficult visualisation of anatomical landmarks and a more unfavourable anatomy with smaller and differently orientated pedicles. ⋯ In summary both approaches are relatively safe but in the upper and middle thoracic spine the risk of intraspinal malpositioning seems to be lower when using the extrapedicular approach.
-
There is no universal agreement or supporting evidence for the content or format of a standardised guidance document for patients with blunt chest wall trauma. The aim of this study is to investigate current UK Emergency Medicine practice of the management of patients with blunt chest wall trauma, who do not require admission to hospital. ⋯ The wide variation in practice highlighted in this study may be due in part to a lack of national consensus guidelines on how to manage this complex patient group. Further research is needed into whether structured national guidelines for the assessment and management of such patients could potentially lead to an overall improvement in outcomes. Such guidelines should be developed by not only expert clinicians and researchers, but also and more importantly by those service-users who have lived experience of blunt chest wall trauma.
-
Mass Casualty Incidents (MCIs) are rare but devastating events that require extensive planning in order to minimize morbidity and mortality. There are two broad categories limiting a hospital's response: physical assets (e.g., critical care beds, operating rooms, food, communication devices) as well as operating procedures (e.g., MCI committees, regional coordination, provider training). The purpose of this study is to provide an examination of MCI preparedness according to these categories in Level 1 Trauma Centre across Canada. ⋯ This study demonstrated that physical assets are generally less limiting than operating procedures. Four key areas of potential improvement have been identified: 1) provider training (especially physicians), 2) coordination with small hospitals, 3) mechanical ventilator availability, and 4) MCI committees with explicit Strategic Emergency Management Plans.
-
The standard protocol for exsanguinating trauma patients involves initial evaluation and resuscitation in the emergency department which then sets the stage for subsequent definitive care and disposition. This involves major coordination and mobilisation of resources which may cause a delay in intervention especially when most of these cases present after office hours. Our centre has employed a second-tier activation system (CHOP protocol) that immediately mobilises all respective trauma specialists including interventional radiologists and allows rapid access to the operating room. ⋯ The CHOP protocol, a relatively novel system in the local context, was able to achieve sustained improved outcomes compared to standard protocol. The CUSUM analysis concurred that implementation of CHOP protocol has helped to achieve consistent desired outcomes. It also suggested that the uptake and use of this protocol has integrated well into the existing workflow.