J Trauma
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Fear of the adverse effects of hypoglycemia has limited the widespread application of intensive insulin therapy (goal, 80-110 mg/dL) in the trauma population. We hypothesized that severe hypoglycemia (SH;
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Evidence-based guidelines for managing nosocomial pneumonia were published in 2005. Subsequently, our surgical critical care service developed and implemented an adaptation of this guideline for use in our surgical trauma intensive care unit (STICU). This study examined outcomes for two STICU cohorts treated for pneumonia before and after guideline implementation. ⋯ The STICU pneumonia practice guideline significantly improved outcomes and cost of care.
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In 2007, a potent procoagulant mineral called WoundStat (WS), consisting of smectite granules, received clearance from the Food and Drug Administration for marketing in the United States for temporary treatment of external hemorrhage. Previously, we found that microscopic WS particles remained in the injured vessels that were treated, despite seemingly adequate wound debridement. Thus, we investigated the thromboembolic risk of using WS when compared with kaolin-coated gauze, Combat Gauze (CG); or regular gauze, Kerlix (KX) to treat an external wound with vascular injuries in pigs. ⋯ WS granules caused endothelial injury and significant transmural damage to the vessels that render them nonviable for primary surgical repair. The granules can enter systemic circulation and cause distal thrombosis in vital organs. More relevant in vitro and in vivo safety tests should be required for clearance of new hemostatic agents.
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Major pelvic trauma results in high mortality. No standard technique to control pelvic hemorrhage has been identified. ⋯ Application of a clinical algorithm focusing on basic radiologic diagnostics, external fixation, and early angiographic embolization was effective and safe to rapidly control hemorrhage in hemodynamically instable trauma patients with pelvic fractures.
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Injury Severity Score (ISS) is commonly used in prediction models and risk adjustment for mortality. However, few studies have assessed the relationship of ISS to outcomes such as resource use. To test the utility of ISS for investigation of the quality of trauma care, we evaluated the impact of ISS on resource utilization and mortality. ⋯ Specific ISS and injured organs may be used to estimate resource use or mortality for monitoring quality of trauma care. To integrate a more efficient system of trauma care, variations in resource input among hospitals should be investigated.