Development of evidence-based remote telemetry policy guidelines for a multifacility hospital system.

Over 10 years ago, the standards for cardiac monitoring were set forth by the Councils on Cardiovascular Nursing, Clinical Cardiology, and Cardiovascular Disease in the Young. The standards were endorsed by the International Society of Computerized Electrocardiology and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. The American Heart Association printed the standards as an American Heart Association Scientific Statement.

Rapid warfarin reversal with factor VIIa in an elderly trauma patient with retroperitoneal hematoma.

While mortality from trauma increases, there has been a decline in mortality from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases which parallels advances in antithrombotic and anticoagulation therapy. Warfarin (coumadin) is the most common oral anticoagulant used for chronic anticoagulant therapy and most patients requiring such therapy are elderly (greater than 65 years old). The most common complication of warfarin use is adverse bleeding.

A systematic approach to care: adult respiratory distress syndrome.

Trauma patients present with and have the potential to develop an array of systemic and metabolic disturbances. Adult respiratory distress syndrome has been identified as a life-threatening development, especially in trauma patients. A systematic approach to care utilizing the acronyms FASTHUG and BANDAIDS, along with incorporating lung protective strategies, provides avenues to decrease mortality related to adult respiratory distress syndrome.