Publications by authors named "Heather X Rhodes"

Introduction: We aim to evaluate the association of early versus late venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis on in-hospital mortality among patients with severe blunt isolated traumatic brain injuries.

Methods: Data from the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Program Participant Use File for 2017-2021 were analyzed. The target population included adult trauma patients with severe isolated traumatic brain injury (TBI).

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Background and objective Facial fractures represent a growing concern among an aging population prone to falls. In light of this, this study aimed to investigate differential facial fracture patterns and outcomes based on age effects. Determining the differences between the severity and type of facial fractures in populations of different ages will help guide clinical decision-making when managing patients with facial fractures.

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The leading cause of preventable traumatic death is uncontrolled bleeding. This study aimed to better identify those most likely to experience in-hospital mortality with increasing injury severity scoring (ISS). This is a single-center study of Trauma Registry data, from July 3, 2016, to February 24, 2022.

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Background: The Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) traumatic brain injury algorithm is used to identify children at low risk of clinically significant traumatic brain injuries to reduce computed tomography (CT) exposure. Adapting PECARN rules based on population-specific risk stratification has been suggested to improve diagnostic accuracy.

Objective: This study sought to identify center-specific patient variables, beyond PECARN rules, that may enhance the identification of patients requiring neuroimaging.

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The COVID-19 mandated lockdown created unintended outcomes in traumatic injury patterns and psychosocial behaviors compared to previous years during the same timeframe. The aim of this research is to describe a population of trauma patients during the past 5 years to determine particular trends in trauma patterns and trauma severity. A retrospective cohort study on all adult (≥18 years) trauma patients admitted to this ACS verified Level I trauma center in South Carolina, inclusive years 2017 to 2021.

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The leading cause of preventable traumatic death is uncontrolled bleeding. This study aimed to better identify those most likely to experience in-hospital mortality with increasing injury severity scoring (ISS). This is a single-center study of Trauma Registry data, from July 3, 2016, to February 24, 2022.

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The current literature demonstrates an association between both size and presence of TBI and its effects on mortality; however, it does not readily address the morbidity and associated functional outcomes of those who survive. We hypothesize that the likelihood of discharge to home decreases with advancement of age in the presence of TBI. This is a single-center study of trauma registry data, inclusive years July 1, 2016, to October 31, 2021.

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This study aimed to evaluate non-survivors who were admitted to a level I trauma center but later died, in terms of predicting who would expire early vs late. This is a single-center study of Trauma Registry data, from July 3, 2016, to February 24, 2022. The inclusion criteria were based upon age (≥18 years) and in-hospital mortality.

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This research aims to evaluate the specific effects of end-stage renal disease on acutely injured trauma patients. This is a single-center study of Trauma Registry data, inclusive years July 1, 2016 to February 28, 2021. Patients were grouped by pre-existing comorbidity of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and those without.

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This study aims to assess chemical VTE prophylactic type and timing and associated outcomes within the elderly trauma population. This is a single center study of Trauma Registry data, inclusive years July 1, 2016, to February 28, 2021. The patients were grouped based upon discharge disposition.

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This study aims at identifying the under-triage patients to improve the quality of care among those transferred into a level I trauma system. This is a single-center study of Trauma Registry data, inclusive years, from July 1, 2016 to January 31, 2021. Patients were grouped based upon under-triage, over-triage, and OK triage.

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Introduction: This study aims to improve public health outreach in a high-risk population.

Methods: This is a single center study of Trauma Registry data, inclusive years January 1, 2016 to March 30, 2021. The study population was stratified into two groups: ETOH ≥ 80 mg/dL and ETOH <80 mg/dL.

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Background As the early peak phase in the coronavirus outbreak has intensified, stay-at-home mandates requiring identified individuals as nonessential were advised to remain home to prevent community transmission of the disease. Further mandates escalated isolated environments such as school closures, social distancing, travel restrictions, closure of public gathering spaces, and business closures. As citizens were forced to stay home during the pandemic, the crisis created intensifying stressors and isolation, which fostered an environment for increased domestic violence.

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Background  As the early peak phase in the coronavirus outbreak has intensified, stay at home mandates were advised requiring individuals to remain home to prevent community transmission of the disease. Further mandates escalated isolated environments such as school closures, social distancing, travel restrictions, closure of public gathering spaces, and business closures. As citizens were forced to stay home during the pandemic, the crisis created unique trends in trauma referrals, which consisted of atypical trends in injuries related to trauma.

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