The journal of trauma and acute care surgery
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J Trauma Acute Care Surg · Jul 2014
Are pediatric concussion patients compliant with discharge instructions?
Concussions are commonly diagnosed in pediatric patients presenting to the emergency department (ED). The primary objective of this study was to evaluate compliance with ED discharge instructions for concussion management. ⋯ Care management, level IV. Epidemiologic study, level III.
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J Trauma Acute Care Surg · Jul 2014
Comparative StudyHigher surgical critical care staffing levels are associated with improved National Surgical Quality Improvement Program quality measures.
The changing face of American health care demands careful scrutiny of resource allocation. The impact of the surgical intensivist model on general surgical quality measures has not been studied. Our objective was to investigate the relationship between surgical critical care staffing and indicators of general surgical quality measured by the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP). ⋯ Care management study, level IV.
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J Trauma Acute Care Surg · Jul 2014
Using the Rothman index to predict early unplanned surgical intensive care unit readmissions.
The Rothman index (RI) is a numerical score calculated hourly from 26 data points in the electronic medical record by a commercial software package. Although it is purported to serve as an indicator of change in a patient's condition, it has not been extensively evaluated in the literature. Our objective was to determine whether the RI can be used to predict early surgical intensive care unit (SICU) readmissions. ⋯ Epidemiologic/prognostic study, level III.
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J Trauma Acute Care Surg · Jul 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialCryopreserved red blood cells are superior to standard liquid red blood cells.
Liquid preserved packed red blood cell (LPRBC) transfusions are used to treat anemia and increase end-organ perfusion. Throughout their storage duration, LPRBCs undergo biochemical and structural changes collectively known as the storage lesion. These changes adversely affect perfusion and oxygen off-loading. Cryopreserved RBCs (CPRBC) can be stored for up to 10 years and potentially minimize the associated storage lesion. We hypothesized that CPRBCs maintain a superior biochemical profile compared with LPRBCs. ⋯ Therapeutic study, level II.