J Trauma
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Elderly trauma patients have a higher incidence of medical comorbidities when compared with their younger cohorts. Currently, the minimally accepted criteria established by the Committee on Trauma for the highest level of trauma activation (Level I) does not include age as a factor. Should patients older than 60 years with multiple injuries and/or a significant mechanism of injury be considered as part of the criteria for Level I activation? Would these patients benefit from a higher level of activation? ⋯ Patients with an ISS between 0 and 15 are often triaged to Level II activation. Our data would suggest that patients older than 60 years should be a criterion for the highest level of trauma activation.
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Comparative Study
Simple derivation of the initial fluid rate for the resuscitation of severely burned adult combat casualties: in silico validation of the rule of 10.
In practice, current burn resuscitation formulas, designed to estimate 24-hour fluid resuscitation needs, provide only a starting point for resuscitation. To simplify this process, we devised the "rule of 10" to derive the initial fluid rate. ⋯ For the majority of adult burn patients, the rule of 10 approximates the initial fluid rate within acceptable ranges.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Continuous noninvasive tissue oximetry in the early evaluation of the combat casualty: a prospective study.
We hypothesized that near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-derived tissue oxygenation saturation (StO2) could assist in identifying shock in casualties arriving to a combat support hospital and predict the need for life-saving interventions (LSIs) and blood transfusions. ⋯ NIRS-derived StO2 obtained on arrival predicts the need for blood transfusion in casualties who initially seem to be hemodynamically stable (SBP >90). Further study of this technology for use in the resuscitation of trauma patients is warranted.
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Injury rates and injury mortality rates are generally higher in rural and remote communities compared with urban jurisdictions as has been shown to be the case in the rural-remote area of Northwest (NW) British Columbia (BC). The purpose of study was to identify: (1) the place and timing of death following injury in NW BC, (2) access to and quality of local trauma services, and (3) opportunities to improve trauma outcomes. ⋯ Improving trauma outcomes in this rural-remote jurisdiction requires a systems approach to address root causes of delays in access to care, focusing on improved access to emergency medical services, hospital bypass and destination protocols, improved transportation options, advanced life support transfer capability, and designated, coordinated local trauma services.
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Comparative Study
Impact of policy change on US Army combat transfusion practices.
Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are used to keep providers up-to-date with the most recent literature and to guide in decision making. Adherence is typically improved although many have a muted impact. In March 2006, the US Army issued a damage control resuscitation CPG, encouraging 1:1 plasma:red blood cell (RBC) transfusions and limiting crystalloid use. The objective of this study was to determine whether the CPG was associated with a change in the transfusion practices in combat-wounded patients. ⋯ MT patients are now receiving a higher FFP:RBC ratio and less crystalloid after implementation of the CPG. Additionally, patients are now presenting normothermic and have higher hemoglobin levels. All of these changes are consistent with the principles of damage control resuscitation. Changes in practice were associated with implementation of the CPG, maturity of the battlefield, and increased availability of products.