Publications by authors named "Peter C Esselman"
Article Synopsis
- * A machine learning model was developed to predict low-flow total phosphorus (TP) concentrations in Michigan's rivers, identifying key factors influencing nutrient variation.
- * The model showed that riparian agricultural cover significantly affects TP levels, with predictions indicating spatial variability in nutrient concentrations across different regions of Michigan.
Article Synopsis
- Contractures, which can hinder recovery from burns, were studied in pediatric patients, focusing on their prevalence and outcomes based on various factors like injury location and severity.
- The study analyzed data from the Burn Model System between 1994 and 2003, including 225 patients with joint contractures, revealing a significant average of 7.1 contractures per patient.
- Findings indicated that larger burns led to greater loss of movement, providing a framework for understanding contracture impacts in pediatric burn survivors and guiding future research and quality improvement in treatment practices.
Outsized nutrient contributions from small tributaries to a Great Lake.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
November 2020
Article Synopsis
- Excessive nitrogen and phosphorus loading poses a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems worldwide, leading to eutrophication in various water bodies.
- Research on tributaries feeding Lake Michigan shows that while few large tributaries deliver the majority of nutrients, smaller streams significantly contribute to nutrient loads and are more likely to support harmful algal blooms.
- Recognizing the role of small tributaries in coastal eutrophication highlights the importance of expanding nutrient management efforts to these areas for protecting valuable nearshore ecosystems.
Article Synopsis
- Despite advancements in burn care, extremity contractures still affect a significant portion of severely burned patients, impacting their ability to return to work (RTW).
- The study analyzed data from burned patients to determine the relationship between the presence of contractures and employment status at various follow-up intervals.
- Findings revealed that patients without contractures had a much higher RTW rate (70%) compared to those with contractures (45%), with contracture severity diminishing the likelihood of returning to work even up to 24 months post-discharge.
Article Synopsis
- - The study explored how different patient and injury factors influence employment outcomes for adults who survived burn injuries, using data from the Burn Model System national database.
- - It found that individuals who were employed before their injury had significantly higher chances of being employed 12 months later, with demographic factors like race and age also impacting employment rates.
- - The researchers emphasized the need to investigate modifiable factors that could improve job retention and performance for burn survivors, highlighting the importance of understanding the broader context of employment after such injuries.
Article Synopsis
- - This study investigates how heterotopic ossification affects elbow contracture by comparing the range of motion in patients with and without this condition, using data from a large national database.
- - Findings indicate that patients with heterotopic ossification experienced significantly greater loss of elbow flexion compared to those without it, with differences noted across various burn size subgroups.
- - The research highlights the need for further exploration into the functional implications of heterotopic ossification and the development of treatment strategies to address the associated joint flexion issues.
Article Synopsis
- * This study analyzed data from 659 adult patients to evaluate how contractures affected joint motion based on burn size and hospital stay length, using a national database from 1994 to 2003.
- * Findings revealed that patients experienced a significant loss of normal motion (20° to 65°), with severity generally increasing alongside burn size and hospital stay duration, although wrist and certain lower extremity movements showed different trends.
Older patients with burn injury have a greater likelihood for discharge to nursing facilities. Recent research indicates that older patients discharged to nursing facilities are two to three times as likely to die within a 3-year period relative to those discharged to home. In light of these poor long-term outcomes, we conducted this study to identify predictors for discharge to independent vs nonindependent living status in older patients hospitalized for burns.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFApproximately 45,000 individuals are hospitalized annually for burn treatment. Rehabilitation after hospitalization can offer a significant improvement in functional outcomes. Very little is known nationally about rehabilitation for burns, and practices may vary substantially depending on the region based on observed Medicare post-hospitalization spending amounts.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- * In a randomized controlled trial, one group received standard outpatient care while the other group, aided by an ECC, received additional support through scheduled phone calls and coordination of services related to rehabilitation.
- * Ultimately, the study found no significant differences in patient outcomes between the two groups after 6 and 12 months, although all participants valued the personalized goal-setting process provided by the ECC.
Increased maximal oxygen uptake (V(O(2)max)), mitochondrial capacity and energy coupling efficiency are reported after endurance training (ET) in adult subjects. Here we test whether leg exercise performance (power output of the legs, P(max), at V(O(2)max)) reflects these improvements with ET in the elderly. Fifteen male and female subjects were endurance trained for a 6 month programme, with 13 subjects (69.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Burn demographics, prevention and care have changed considerably since the 1970s. The objectives were to 1) identify new and confirm previously described changes, 2) make comparisons to the American Burn Association National Burn Repository, 3) determine when the administration of fluids in excess of the Baxter formula began and to identify potential causes, and 4) model mortality over time, during a 36-year period (1974-2009) at the Harborview Burn Center in Seattle, WA, USA.
Methods And Findings: 14,266 consecutive admissions were analyzed in five-year periods and many parameters compared to the National Burn Repository.
Context/objective: To describe preinjury alcohol and drug use and opportunities for secondary prevention among persons with recent spinal cord injury (SCI).
Design: Survey.
Setting: Acute inpatient rehabilitation program.
Article Synopsis
- Focusing on community integration, like returning to work and school, is crucial early in treatment for burn injuries.* -
- Identifying barriers to re-engagement helps the treatment team create effective support plans.* -
- Collaboration with psychological professionals and vocational rehabilitation counselors enhances the success of returning to work or school.*
Article Synopsis
- * The American Burn Association's Rehabilitation Committee developed the "Burn Rehabilitation Therapist Competency Tool" (BRTCT) with input from over 25 experts to outline necessary skills and knowledge for BRTs.
- * The article outlines the development and validation of the BRTCT, presenting its components and competence assessment recommendations to promote professional development and standardize practices in burn rehabilitation.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the prevalence and factors related to major depressive disorder (MDD) in individuals who experienced traumatic brain injury (TBI) from June 2001 to March 2005, involving 559 hospitalized adults.
- Results showed that over half (53.1%) of the participants were diagnosed with MDD at least once during the follow-up period, with higher risks associated with previous MDD, age, and alcohol dependence.
- Despite the high rates of MDD, only 44% received adequate treatment like antidepressants or counseling, leading to a lower quality of life for those affected at the one-year mark.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to identify preferences for depression treatment among adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI) through a telephone survey conducted at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
- Results showed that patients preferred physical exercise or counseling, while group therapy was the least favored option, and many preferred in-person or phone communication with clinicians over online interactions.
- The findings highlight the need to consider patient preferences in choosing depression treatments post-TBI and suggest further research into alternative therapies and delivery methods for this group.
Article Synopsis
- * Utilizing a Q-sort task, researchers had participants rank 50 potential distress reasons on a game board, enabling them to analyze these responses effectively.
- * The results revealed four distinct groups of distress themes among the 69 participants at various post-discharge time points, suggesting this method can lead to targeted interventions for burn survivors’ needs.
Article Synopsis
- Burn rehabilitation has been a long-standing component of burn care, but outcomes for patients with severe burns have stagnated despite high survival rates.
- The article highlights the need for improvements in rehabilitation practices to ensure that patient well-being matches survival statistics.
- It also examines current interventions, challenges in the field, and the necessity for the medical community to prioritize advancements in burn rehabilitation.
Barriers to return to work after burn injuries.
Arch Phys Med Rehabil
December 2007
Objective: To identify barriers to return to work after burn injury as identified by the patient.
Design: A cohort study with telephone interview up to 1 year.
Setting: Hospital-based burn centers at 3 national sites.