J Trauma
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To determine if trauma patients qualifying by a 1990 American College of Surgeons (ACS) audit filter have the same outcomes and resource utilizations as similar (matching) patients not qualifying by the filter. ⋯ Additional studies of the efficacy and efficiency of trauma quality assurance filters are needed. Objective criteria should be established for the definition, evaluation, modification, and adoption of trauma audit filters.
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A case is reported of a patient who sustained a cardiac injury from a 16-penny nail fired from a nail gun and who was successfully treated at a small rural hospital.
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This study sought to determine if violence against women is accurately documented in the trauma registry, and if poor documentation in the medical record is associated with incorrect coding in the registry. ⋯ Violence against women often goes undocumented in hospital data systems.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of high-field magnetic resonance imaging with computed tomography in the evaluation of blunt renal trauma.
To compare magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and computed tomography (CT) in radiographic staging of blunt renal trauma. ⋯ Although CT remains the method of choice in radiographic staging of renal injury, MR imaging can complement CT in patients with severe renal injury, pre-existing renal abnormality, equivocal CT findings, or when repeated radiographic follow-up is required. MR imaging could replace CT in patients with iodine allergy and be used for initial staging if CT is not available.
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To investigate the effects of inhaled nitric oxide (NO) in adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) associated with a therapeutic optimization strategy on oxygen parameters, barotrauma, and evolution in a medical and surgical intensive care unit. ⋯ This study was shorter to demonstrate an improvement in the survival rate. Nevertheless, these preliminary results are encouraging. Because of its safety, effectiveness, and easy use, inhaled NO should be used as a part of a therapeutic optimization protocol before considering more invasive and expensive procedures, such as extracorporeal respiratory support or intravascular oxygenation.