American journal of surgery
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Fatality rates from rural vehicular trauma are almost double those found in urban settings. It has been suggested that increased prehospital time is a factor that adversely affects fatality rates in rural vehicular trauma. By linking and analyzing Alabama's statewide prehospital data, emergency medical services (EMS) prehospital time was assessed for rural and urban vehicular crashes. ⋯ Based on this statewide analysis of MVCs, increased EMS prehospital time appears to be associated with higher mortality rates in rural settings.
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The Integrated Procedural Performance Instrument (IPPI) consists of clinical scenarios in which bench-top models are positioned to simulated patients. Trainees are required to perform technical skills while engaging with the patient. The purpose of this study was to determine whether an IPPI format examination could discriminate between different levels of trainees. ⋯ An IPPI examination discriminated between students' and residents' technical skills and coherence in communication skills. It also highlighted a potential gap in the training of residents' communication skills.