Journal of the American College of Surgeons
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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of beta-blockers on patients sustaining acute traumatic brain injury. Our hypothesis was that beta-blocker exposure is associated with improved survival. ⋯ Beta-blockade in patients with traumatic brain injury was independently associated with improved survival. Older patients with severe head injuries demonstrated the largest reduction in mortality with beta-blockade.
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Proficiency-based residency training programs can be more efficient than the current duration-based formats. For their successful implementation, appropriate proficiency criteria must be developed. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between technical skill performances assessed using computer- and expert-based methods and training year. An assumption was that asymptotes in performance as a function of training year can be used to set the proficiency level for a technical skill, so the value at which the asymptote occurs can be labeled as the proficiency criteria. ⋯ The data demonstrate the challenges associated with defining technical skills proficiency criteria. Different asymptotes were observed for the two assessment methods and neither covaried substantially with surgical volume. These data suggest that this asymptote approach in defining proficiency criteria can be suitable for development of proficiency-based residency training programs. The sensitivity of this approach to the type of assessment method and to the functional difficulty of the simulators used for assessment must be considered.
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To determine prospectively if simulator-based laparoscopic training could improve laparoscopic skills of gynecology residents. ⋯ A dedicated simulator-based laparoscopic training curriculum has the ability to improve basic laparoscopic skills in a gynecologic residency, as measured by timed and scored simulator tasks. Construct validity was demonstrated by measuring substantial improvement in performance with increasing residency training, and with practice.
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Trauma is the leading cause of death among North Americans between the ages of 1 and 44 years. Resuscitation with hypertonic saline (7.5%) solutions can reduce mortality in hypotensive and brain-injured patients. ⋯ We have successfully designed and implemented two prehospital intervention trials. The proc-ess has helped define the numerous challenges that must be overcome to pursue exception from informed consent resuscitation research in the prehospital setting. The results of these studies will hopefully advance and improve the early care of the severely injured patient.