Journal of the American College of Surgeons
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Efforts to improve pediatric trauma outcomes need detailed data, optimally collected at lowest cost, to assess processes of care. We developed a novel database by merging 2 national data systems for 5 pediatric trauma centers to provide benchmarking metrics for mortality and non-mortality outcomes and to assess care provided throughout the care continuum. ⋯ Merging 2 data systems allowed for improved risk-adjusted modeling for mortality and functional status. The merged database allowed for patient evaluation throughout the care continuum on a multi-institutional level. Merging existing data is feasible, innovative, and has potential to impact care with minimal new resources.
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Mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction (M+IBR) is performed increasingly for breast cancer treatment, but whether this trend extends to the growing number of women diagnosed at age 65 or older is unknown. We studied the effects of age and comorbidities on the use and outcomes of M+IBR. ⋯ Rates of M+IBR rates are increasing, with 10% of M+IBR patients now age 65 or older. Higher 30-day unplanned readmission rates in elderly M+IBR patients with or without comorbidities suggest the need to establish criteria for safe M+IBR in these patients.
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Abdominal component separation is used commonly for closure of midline abdominal wounds. The value of each step in reducing tension has not been studied. Our aim was to test whether component separation decreases tension in the midline closure and to quantify the value of each procedural step. ⋯ This study shows through a quantitative measure of tension that all steps of the component separation procedure decrease wound tension to variable degrees, with the release of the external and internal oblique muscles being the more effective steps. An internal oblique release is a useful and simple adjunct to the classical component separation procedure.
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Uncontrolled hemorrhage is the leading cause of potentially preventable traumatic death. Bleeding victims must receive immediate medical attention to save lives, and the first opportunity to control bleeding after trauma often comes from bystanders. Educating the general public is important for improving outcomes for hemorrhaging victims, and it is imperative for all people, including those with no clinical training, to have the knowledge to respond until trained medical specialists arrive. ⋯ There is currently no succinct hemorrhage control education available that can be deployed across a large workplace environment. Results demonstrate that the brief learning module was effective in educating all employees in the basics of hemorrhage control. The module could be deployed in clinical and nonclinical settings.