Rodeo Trauma: Outcome Data from 10 Years of Injuries.

Introduction: There are few data addressing rodeo injury outcomes, though injury incidence has been well described. The purpose of this study was to describe rodeo-related injury patterns and outcomes.

Methods: A 10-year retrospective case series was performed of patients injured in rodeo events and who were treated at an ACS-verified level I trauma center.

Octogenarian Motor Vehicle Collisions: Injury Patterns Matter.

Introduction: Motor vehicle collision (MVC) is the second most common mechanism of injury among octogenarians and is on the rise. These "oldest old" trauma patients have higher mortality rates than expected. This study examined potential factors influencing this increased mortality including comorbidities, medications, injury patterns, and hospital interventions.

Incidence of Gunshot Wounds: Before and After Implementation of a Shall Issue Conceal Carry Law.

Introduction: This study examined the incidence of gunshot wounds before and after enacting a conceal carry (CC) law in a predominately rural state.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of all patients who were admitted with a gunshot injury to a Level I trauma center. Patient data collected included demographics, injury details, hospital course, and discharge destination.

Computed Tomography in Trauma Patients Accepted in Transfer: Missed Injuries and Rationale for Repeat Imaging. Can we do Better?

Introduction: Computed tomography scans often are repeated on trauma patient transfers, leading to increased radiation exposure, resource utilization, and costs. This study examined the incidence of repeated computed tomography scans (RCT) in trauma patient transfers before and after software upgrades, physician education, and encouragement to reduce RCT.

Methods: The number of RCTs at an American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma verified level 1 trauma center was measured.

Differences in hospital outcomes following traumatic injury for patients experiencing immediate transfer to a level I trauma facility versus resuscitation at a critical access hospital (CAH).

Background: Critical access hospitals (CAH) serve a key role in providing medical care to rural patients. The purpose of this study was to assess effectiveness of CAHs in initial care of trauma patients.

Methods: A 5-year retrospective review was conducted of all adult trauma patients who were transported directly to a level I trauma facility or were transported to a CAH then transferred to a level I trauma facility after initial resuscitation.

Head CT Guidelines Following Concussion among the Youngest Trauma Patients: Can We Limit Radiation Exposure Following Traumatic Brain Injury?

Introduction: Recent studies have provided guidelines on the use of head computed tomography (CT) scans in pediatric trauma patients. The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of these guidelines among concussed pediatric patients.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of patients four years or younger with a concussion from blunt trauma.

Increasing Onshore Oil Production: An Unexpected Explosion in Trauma Patients.

Introduction: Few data currently exist which are focused on type and severity of onshore oil extraction-related injuries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate injury patterns among onshore oil field operations.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of all trauma patients aged 18 and older with an onshore oil field-related injury admitted to an American College of Surgeons-verified level 1 trauma center between January 1, 2003 and June 30, 2012.

Fatal Agricultural Accidents in Kansas: A Thirty-One-Year Study.

Agricultural work results in numerous injuries and deaths. Efficacy of farm equipment safety interventions remains unclear. This study evaluated agricultural mortality pre- and postimplementation of safety initiatives.

Prehospital Extrication Techniques: Neurological Outcomes Associated with the Rapid Extrication Method and the Kendrick Extrication Device.

Most emergency medical service personnel rely on one of two techniques to extricate motor vehicle crash victims; the Rapid Extrication Maneuver (REM) or the Kendrick Extrication Device (KED). The purpose of this study was to compare pre- and postextrication neurological outcomes between these two techniques. A retrospective review was conducted of all adult patients with a vertebral column injury resulting from motor vehicle collision and admitted to a Level I trauma center between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2010.

The Impact of Methamphetamine Use on Trauma Patients at a Level I Trauma Center: A 10-Year Retrospective Review.

The effects of methamphetamines (MAs) on trauma patient outcomes have been evaluated, but with discordant results. The purpose of this study was to identify hospital outcomes associated with MA use after traumatic injury. Retrospective review of adult trauma patients admitted to an American College of Surgeons verified-Level I trauma center who received a urine drug screen (UDS) between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2013.

Pediatric Farm Injuries: Morbidity and Mortality.

Background: Agriculture is an industry where family members often live and work on the same premises. This study evaluated injury patterns and outcomes in children from farm-related accidents.

Methods: A 10-year retrospective review of farm-accident related injuries was conducted of patients 17 years and younger.

Comparisons of Medical Student Knowledge Regarding Life-Threatening CT Images Before and After Clinical Experience.

Background: Currently, no national standard exists for educating medical students regarding radiography or formal research indicating the level of improvement regarding computed tomography (CT) interpretation of medical students during clinical rotations.

Methods: Students were evaluated based on their response to twenty-two open-ended questions regarding diagnosis and treatment of eleven de-identified CT images of life-threatening injuries. The number of incorrect answers was compared with correct or partially correct answers between students starting third-year clinical rotations and those starting their fourth year.

Then we all fall down: fall mortality by trauma center level.

Background: Ground-level falls (GLFs) are the predominant mechanism of injury in US trauma centers and accompany a spectrum of comorbidities, injury severity, and physiologic derangement. Trauma center levels define tiers of capability to treat injured patients. We hypothesized that risk-adjusted observed-to-expected mortality (O:E) by trauma center level would evaluate the degree to which need for care was met by provision of care.

Race and rehabilitation following spinal cord injury: equality of access for American Indians/Alaska Natives compared to other racial groups.

Background: Representing 2 % of the general population, American Indians/Alaska Natives (AIs/ANs) were associated with 0.5 % (63) of the estimated 12,500 new cases of spinal cord injury (SCI) reported to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistic Center in 2013. To date, the trend in health care disparities among AIs/ANs in the SCI community has not been examined.

Pediatric trauma system models: do systems using adult trauma surgeons exclusively compare favorably with those using pediatric surgeons after initial resuscitation with an adult trauma surgeon?

Background: A shortage of pediatric surgeons exists. The purpose of this study was to evaluate pediatric outcomes using pediatric surgeons vs adult trauma surgeons.

Methods: A review was conducted at 2 level II pediatric trauma centers.

Octogenarians and motor vehicle collisions: postdischarge mortality is lower than expected.

Background: Motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) are the second leading cause of injury among octogenarians. Physicians and families lack outcomes-based data to assist in the decision-making process concerning injury treatment in this population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate 1-year postdischarge mortality in octogenarian MVC patients, cause of death, and patterns predictive of mortality.

Effectiveness of a burn rehabilitation workshop addressing confidence in therapy providers.

The study first assessed comfort levels of physical and occupational therapists who provide burn care prior to a hands-on intervention, then assessed therapists' confidence levels following an educational intervention. Physical and occupational therapists who previously treated burn survivors were invited to complete a preworkshop confidence level survey. From this information, four burn rehabilitation interventional categories were identified: positioning and exercise, compression, wound healing, and burn resources.