Every minute matters: Improving outcomes for penetrating trauma through prehospital advanced resuscitative care.

Background: Prehospital resuscitation with blood products is gaining popularity for patients with traumatic hemorrhage. The MEDEVAC trial demonstrated a survival benefit exclusively among patients who received blood or plasma within 15 minutes of air medical evacuation. In fast-paced urban EMS systems with a high incidence of penetrating trauma, mortality data based on the timing to first blood administration is scarce.

Impact of Prehospital Exsanguinating Airway-Breathing-Circulation Resuscitation Sequence on Patients with Severe Hemorrhage.

Background: At the 2023 ATLS symposium, the priority of circulation was emphasized through the "x-airway-breathing-circulation (ABC)" sequence, where "x" stands for exsanguinating hemorrhage control. With growing evidence from military and civilian studies supporting an x-ABC approach to trauma care, a prehospital advanced resuscitative care (ARC) bundle emphasizing early transfusion was developed in our emergency medical services (EMS) system. We hypothesized that prioritization of prehospital x-ABC through ARC would reduce in-hospital mortality.

Faster refill in an urban emergency medical services system saves lives: A prospective preliminary evaluation of a prehospital advanced resuscitative care bundle.

Introduction: Military experience has demonstrated mortality improvement when advanced resuscitative care (ARC) is provided for trauma patients with severe hemorrhage. The benefits of ARC for trauma in civilian emergency medical services (EMS) systems with short transport intervals are still unknown. We hypothesized that ARC implementation in an urban EMS system would reduce in-hospital mortality.

A CIRCULATION-FIRST APPROACH FOR RESUSCITATION OF TRAUMA PATIENTS WITH HEMORRHAGIC SHOCK.

The original guidelines of cardiopulmonary resuscitation focused on the establishment of an airway and rescue breathing before restoration of circulation through cardiopulmonary resuscitation. As a result, the airway-breathing-circulation approach became the central guiding principle of resuscitation. Despite new guidelines by the American Heart Association for a circulation-first approach, Advanced Trauma Life Support guidelines continue to advocate for the airway-breathing-circulation sequence.

Intravenous and Intraosseous Blood Transfusion With Three Different Pediatric Pressure Transfusion Strategies in an Immature Swine (Sus scrofa) Model of Hemorrhagic Shock: A Pilot Study.

Introduction: Exsanguination remains the leading cause of preventable death in military conflicts, and pediatric casualties are common. Transfusion is crucial to preserve life, but vascular access is challenging in children, so intraosseous (IO) access is often required. However, the optimal transfusion method is unclear.

Improving fluid resuscitation in pediatric shock with LifeFlow: a retrospective case series and review of the literature.

Rapid delivery of an intravenous fluid bolus is commonly used in pediatric emergency care for the treatment of shock and hypotension. Early fluid delivery targeted at shock reversal results in improved patient outcomes, yet current methods of fluid resuscitation often limit the ability of providers to achieve fluid delivery goals. We report on the early clinical experience of a new technique for rapid fluid resuscitation.

Barotrauma and Arterial Gas Embolism: A Diving Emergencies Simulation Case for Emergency Medicine Residents.

Introduction: Arterial gas embolism (AGE) is a rare but severe complication of scuba diving. While AGE is most commonly encountered in coastal areas with high volumes of recreational divers, at-risk populations exist throughout the United States, making basic knowledge of the disease important for all emergency medicine (EM) physicians.

Methods: We used a hypothetical simulation case to train EM residents on diagnosis and management of AGE.

Improving Aseptic Technique During the Treatment of Pediatric Septic Shock: A Comparison of 2 Rapid Fluid Delivery Methods.

Rapid fluid resuscitation is used to treat pediatric septic shock. However, achieving fluid delivery goals while maintaining aseptic technique can be challenging. Two methods of fluid resuscitation-the commonly used push-pull technique (PPT) and a new fluid infusion technique using the LifeFlow device (410 Medical, Inc; Durham, NC)-were compared in a simulated patient model.

Potential mortality and cost reduction in adult severe sepsis and septic shock through the use of an innovative fluid delivery device.

Background: While early fluid resuscitation has been shown to significantly improve health and economic metrics in septic shock, providers are often unable to achieve fluid delivery guidelines using current techniques.

Purpose: To examine expected clinical and economic consequences of more consistent achievement of fluid resuscitation guidelines through use of a novel fluid delivery technology.

Patients And Methods: A decision analytic model was developed to compare expected costs and outcomes associated with the standard technique vs a novel, faster technique for rapid fluid resuscitation in adult patients with severe sepsis or septic shock.

Therapeutic systemic hypothermia for a pediatric patient with an isolated cervical spinal cord injury.

While uncommon, spinal cord injuries most frequently occur in adolescent and young adult males. Established treatment options are limited and focused on supportive care. Therapeutic systemic hypothermia is an emerging experimental treatment currently undergoing clinical trials in adults.

Preliminary assessment of a neuropathic pain treatment and referral algorithm for patients with cancer.

Context: The purpose of this case series study was to pilot test an evidence-based neuropathic pain (NP) treatment and referral algorithm for use by oncology nurses when managing cancer-related NP.

Objectives: The primary study objective was to assess patient-reported outcomes (pain severity, changes in activities of daily living, and satisfaction) resulting from algorithm use.

Methods: Outpatients (n=20) with cancer-related NP scores ≥4 on a 0-10 numeric rating scale participated in the study.

Community-acquired MRSA infections in North Carolina children: prevalence, antibiotic sensitivities, and risk factors.

Background: The incidence of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections in children has increased dramatically over the past decade. CA-MRSA infections are often resistant to standard outpatient antibiotics and present a large burden to the health care system and to afflicted families.

Objectives: Our aims were to characterize the patterns of CA-MRSA resistance to common antibiotics and to identify significant risk factors for CA-MRSA infection in healthy children at a large urban hospital.

Pulse contour cardiac output analysis in a piglet model of severe hemorrhagic shock.

Objective: Pulse contour cardiac output (PCCO) analysis is a technique for continuous cardiac output (CO) monitoring through an arterial catheter after calibration by transpulmonary thermodilution (TPTD). Studies in adults show good correlation with pulmonary artery thermodilution (PATD) CO. Data are limited in children and patients with hemodynamic instability.

Cultural attitudes toward weight, diet, and physical activity among overweight African American girls.

Introduction: The growing epidemic of childhood obesity has led to an increasing focus on strategies for prevention. However, little is known about attitudes and perceptions toward weight, diet, and physical activity among American youth, and particularly among young African American females. This pilot study sought to qualitatively explore cultural attitudes and perceptions toward body image, food, and physical activity among a sample of overweight African American girls.

Interval laparoscopic appendectomy for appendicitis complicated by pylephlebitis.

Background: Although rare, portal mesenteric venous thrombosis and pylephlebitis remain potential life-threatening sequelae of ruptured appendicitis in children. Treatment recommendations from recent reports have included urgent exploratory laparotomy with appendectomy, prolonged intravenous antibiotic therapy, and anticoagulation for up to a year.

Methods: This report describes successful management of pylephlebitis and mesenteric venous thrombosis complicating ruptured appendicitis with intravenous antibiotics and anticoagulation followed by interval laparoscopic appendectomy.