Escalating Risks: Injury Patterns in Escalator-Related Trauma.

Falls from escalators, although infrequent, can result in a wide array of injuries, ranging from minor lacerations to fatal outcomes. This retrospective study aims to detail the treatment and outcomes of eight patients who sustained blunt-force trauma from escalator falls and received care at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, California. Among these eight patients, seven required hospitalization, with three necessitating intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and two patients ultimately succumbing to their injuries.

Methylnaltrexone's Effect on Cholestasis in Trauma Patients.

Introduction Cholestasis in hospitalized patients receiving opiates has the potential to have devastating outcomes including acalculous cholecystitis, sepsis, or even death. In this study, we evaluate the outcomes of trauma patients treated with methylnaltrexone. Methods We conducted the study at Desert Regional Medical Center, a level 1 trauma center in Palm Springs, California.

Trends in Radiation at a Level I Trauma Center.

Introduction Following traumatic injury, patients often require imaging modalities that subject them to large amounts of radiation. The current protocol for imaging workup in trauma patients includes plain radiographs and computed tomography (CT). Although these imaging modalities have improved quality and efficiency in trauma interventions, it is essential to understand their potential limitations and adverse effects.

Less Talk More Chalk: A Retrospective Review of Rock Climbing-Related Trauma.

Introduction Climbing is a strength and strategy-driven sport that has greatly increased in popularity over the last decade, partially due to its debut in the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics. With an increasing number of new climbers and the emergence of recreational indoor climbing facilities, fall injury risk remains a legitimate concern within the climbing community. This study evaluates the pattern of injury in trauma patients presenting to the Desert Regional Medical Center, a level 1 trauma center in Palm Springs, CA, following falls from height while rock climbing.

Branching Out: A Retrospective Review of Tree Fall-Related Trauma.

Introduction Falls from trees (FFTs), although rare, represent a significant public health concern due to the severe consequences they can impose. Such incidents, while statistically uncommon across the wider population, have the potential to cause drastic, lasting alterations in patients' lives. The severity of these events is often substantial, highlighted by high Injury Severity Scores (ISSs) and prolonged hospital length of stay (LOS), which brings to light the urgent need for preventive strategies and heightened awareness.

Time Delay in Motor Vehicle Accident Arrival: A Critical Analysis of Trauma Team Activation.

Introduction This research aims to investigate the role of time since trauma (TST) in refining trauma team activation (TTA) criteria within a level I trauma center. We analyze the association between TST and post-emergency department (ED) disposition, proposing new insights for the enhancement of TTA criteria. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on a dataset comprising 3,693 patients presenting to a level I trauma center following motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) from 2016 to 2021.

Falls From Beds Among Elderly Outpatients: Injuries and Outcomes.

Introduction Falls from beds (FFBs) among outpatient elderly individuals are a prevalent issue, particularly for those aged 65 and above. This presents a notable health challenge with consequences that extend beyond personal well-being, placing a considerable strain on healthcare systems. Fall-related injuries often result in reduced independence, increased morbidity, and, in severe instances, fatalities.

A Retrospective Study on the Outcomes of Injuries From Border Wall Falls.

Objective Our retrospective cohort study focuses on the outcomes of injuries sustained from falls from the USA-Mexico border wall. The purpose of this study is to understand and predict the types of injuries that will be present in patients who fall from the border wall. This can further help trauma response teams to better predict and prepare for the care of these patients.

Spontaneous Rupture of a Right Gonadal Artery Aneurysm: A Case Report.

Gonadal artery aneurysm is a rare condition characterized by nonspecific presentation, typically manifesting as flank pain and formation of a retroperitoneal hematoma on imaging studies. Failure to recognize and treat this condition promptly can have serious consequences, as the presence of an aneurysm may lead to severe bleeding. Notably, most reported cases of gonadal artery aneurysms are not trauma-induced but rather spontaneous.

Outcomes of Surgical Rib Plating: A Case Series.

Rib fractures are a common result of blunt thoracic trauma. Complications of rib fractures include pneumothorax, hemothorax, respiratory failure, and death. The conservative management of rib fractures has been the mainstay of care with surgical rib fixation as a secondary management only performed in complicated flail segments.

Injury Patterns in Vehicle Crashes: The Significance of Occupant Seating Position.

Objectives:  Investigating patterns among the outcomes of patients involved in motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) can provide information necessary to guide targeted interventions to improve road traffic safety. Our purpose is to identify any differences between passenger and driver injury severity and overall clinical course after MVAs.

Methods:  We performed a retrospective review and analysis of 3,693 patients involved in MVAs from 2016 to 2021.

Falls From Heights: A Retrospective Review of Roof Fall-Related Trauma.

Background Falls from roofs (FFRs), while constituting just a segment of all falls, pose a significant public health issue. They not only impact individuals in their daily lives but also pose an increased risk in the construction field. The consequences of these falls range broadly, from minor bruises to serious harm, potentially leading to chronic disability or fatality.

Azygos Vein Pseudoaneurysm After Trauma: A Case Report.

High-speed motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) often result in severe musculoskeletal, neurological, and vascular injuries. Among these, azygos vein pseudoaneurysms (AVPs) are a rare and potentially life-threatening vascular complication. Our case study highlights an instance of an AVP arising from a high-velocity MVC, underscoring their critical significance in trauma scenarios.

Increased Mortality and Morbidity Due to the Increase in Border Wall Height.

Objective Our retrospective cohort study focuses on the differences in the severity of injuries sustained from border wall falls before and after wall height increase. Severity of injuries is categorized by injury severity score (ISS), length of stay in the hospital (LOS), ventilation, intensive care unit (ICU), and surgery. The purpose of this study is to underline the medical consequences of extending the US-Mexico border wall.

Management of a Flail Chest Caused by Multiple Costosternal Fractures: A Case Report.

Costochondral separation is a rare consequence of blunt thoracic trauma and can lead to life-threatening complications such as a flail chest. The diagnosis of costochondral separation remains challenging due to the obscurity of the condition on chest radiographs. Surgical rib fixation is a viable treatment option and research regarding its effectiveness and long-term benefits is promising but still evolving.

Acquired Hemophilia A After Multiple Transfusions Following Trauma.

Acquired hemophilia A (AHA) is a coagulative disorder that is caused by the presence of inhibitors of factor VIII (FVIII). The presence of coagulation factor inhibitors can lead to severe episodes of bleeding in patients with no previous history of bleeding conditions. We present the clinical case of a man with severe bleeding two weeks after falling from a bicycle.

Spontaneous Bladder Rupture After Binge Drinking.

Spontaneous bladder rupture is a rare cause of the acute abdomen. Alcohol has been described as one of the most common causes of spontaneous bladder rupture. We present the case of a 42-year-old male who presented to our Level I Trauma Center complaining of abdominal pain and difficulty urinating after an evening of drinking.

Rare Escherichia coli Empyema Necessitating to Pelvic Retroperitoneum With Extension to the Groin.

Empyema necessitans is a rare form of infection that spreads to the soft tissue of visceral organs. In the case of thoracic empyema, the infection can spread to the parietal pleura of the lungs. This can cause many complications as treatment is more complicated with the spread of this infection.

Management of Complex Duodenal Injuries After Penetrating Trauma.

Penetrating injuries to the duodenum can present a complex case for trauma or acute care surgeons. The associated injuries and complications can have devastating results. This report presents the case of a 41-year-old male who presented with a gunshot wound to his abdomen and suffered a gastric injury, transverse colon injury, duodenal injury, renal injury, and pancreatic tail injury.

Cognitive Bias in the Management of a Critically Ill 29-Year-Old Patient.

Cognitive bias is a significant issue in the management of critically ill patients. Often patients cannot communicate due to illness or mechanical ventilation, making history-taking difficult. Here we present a case where cognitive bias led the clinical team to treat the wrong diagnosis until the patient was in extremis.

Marijuana Screening and Trauma Outcomes.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine if positive marijuana toxicology screen is associated with worse outcomes following trauma.

Methods: A 3-year retrospective study was conducted on adult trauma patients using a Level II trauma registry. Patients were included if they had marijuana toxicology results available and were excluded if they tested positive for polysubstance.

Benchmarking blood sugar control in the small rural intensive care unit.

: We sought to determine a benchmark for our blood glucose monitoring and compare our data to published data.: Natividad Medical Center is a 172-bed rural hospital located in Salinas, California.Point of care blood glucose (POC-BG) data was extracted from our EMR for all ICU patients greater than 18 years of age between January 2014 and May 2018.

Bilateral Abducens Nerve Palsy after Closed Head Trauma without Acute Intracranial Pathology.

Bilateral abducens nerve palsy due to closed head trauma is exceedingly rare. We present the case of a 51-year-old woman with posttraumatic bilateral abducens nerve palsy and persistent deficits at 1-year follow-up. This case demonstrates a rare example of cranial nerve palsy in the setting of a closed head injury without intracranial pathology.