Dollars and Sense: The Financial Argument for Dedicated Posttrauma Center Care.

Objective: To demonstrate that the creation of a Center for Trauma Survivorship (CTS) is not cost-prohibitive but is a revenue generator for the institution.

Background: A dedicated CTS has been demonstrated to increase adherence with follow-up visits and improve overall aftercare in severely injured patients discharged from the trauma center. A potential impediment to the creation of similar centers is its assumed prohibitive cost.

Assessing Knowledge, Usage, and Perceptions of the Frazier Free Water Protocol: A Pilot Study.

Introduction: Dysphagia is very common among hospitalized patients and is associated with increased length of hospital stay, morbidity, and mortality. Diet restrictions for dysphagia cause dehydration and discontent. The Frazier Free Water Protocol (FFWP) was developed to improve hydration and quality of life in dysphagia patients by establishing the safety of allowing sips of water between meals.

Intraoperative Nerve Conduction Studies During Open Carpal Tunnel Release: A Pilot Study.

Background: Operative management of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) involves release of the transverse carpal ligament (TCL) and often the volar antebrachial fascia (VAF). Evidence of a difference between TCL and TCL+VAF release is limited. We conducted a pilot study to measure changes of intraoperative nerve conduction velocity (NCV) after CTS surgery and compared outcomes of variable degrees of decompression.

Developing a National Trauma Research Action Plan: Results from the long-term outcomes research gap Delphi survey.

Background: In the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine 2016 report on trauma care, the establishment of a National Trauma Research Action Plan to strengthen and guide future trauma research was recommended. To address this recommendation, the Department of Defense funded the Coalition for National Trauma Research to generate a comprehensive research agenda spanning the continuum of trauma and burn care. We describe the gap analysis and high-priority research questions generated from the National Trauma Research Action Plan panel on long-term outcomes.

Spasticity management and resolution of paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity in the acute care setting: a case series.

Objective: The aim is to highlight three cases of focal spasticity and/or dystonia as potential noxious triggers and treatment targets of Paroxysmal Sympathetic Hyperactivity (PSH).

Methods: We review the literature, explore pathophysiology, and review treatment options. We discuss the clinical course and management of three unique patients who presented to a teaching hospital with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) complicated by PSH managed by a physiatry consult team.

Antipsychotic-Induced Hypothermia After Starting Aripiprazole for Posttraumatic Agitation Management: A Case Report.

Objectives: Antipsychotic-induced hypothermia is an uncommon type of secondary hypothermia resulting from neurotransmitter derangements within the nervous system thermoregulation pathway. The most common causative medications include olanzapine, haloperidol, and risperidone, with one published report of aripiprazole. Most individuals who develop antipsychotic-induced hypothermia receive neuroleptic treatment for psychiatric disorder management, with significantly fewer occurrences in those with neurologic disorders.

Center for Trauma Survivorship improves postdischarge follow-up and retention.

Background: Although the need for high-level care persists postdischarge, severely injured trauma survivors have historically poor adherence to follow-up. We hypothesized that a dedicated Center for Trauma Survivorship (CTS) improves follow-up and facilitates postdischarge specialty care.

Methods: A retrospective study of "CTS eligible" trauma patients before (January to December 2017) and after (January to December 2019) creation of the CTS was performed.

Functional Improvement of Tacrolimus-Induced Parkinsonism With Amantadine After Liver Transplantation: A Case Report.

Drug-induced parkinsonism is the most common type of drug-induced movement disorder, whose symptoms can decrease patient quality of life and reduce medication compliance. Tacrolimus is a routinely used immunosuppressant agent after liver transplantation, with a well-known neurotoxic profile. There have been rare reports of tacrolimus-induced parkinsonism, but its pharmacologic management and functional impact remain poorly characterized in the literature.

COVID-19 Ischemic Strokes as an Emerging Rehabilitation Population: A Case Series.

There is emerging literature that coronavirus disease 2019 infections result in an increased incidence of thrombosis secondary to a prothrombotic state. Initial studies reported ischemic strokes primarily occurring in the critically ill coronavirus disease 2019 population. However, there have been reports of ischemic strokes as the presenting symptom in young noncritically ill coronavirus disease 2019 patients without significant risk factors.

Management of nonpainful supernumerary phantom limbs after incomplete spinal cord injury with visual-tactile feedback therapy: a case report.

Introduction: Supernumerary phantom limb (SPL) is an uncommon phantom sensation where the patient experiences the illusory presence of one or more limbs in addition to their existing limbs. SPL after a spinal cord injury (SCI) is rare with few documented cases. There is minimal treatment guidance available, with some reports of visual-tactile feedback therapy used to manage SPL.

The Center for Trauma Survivorship: Addressing the great unmet need for posttrauma center care.

Background: Returning patients to preinjury status is the goal of a trauma system. Trauma centers (TCs) provide inpatient care, but postdischarge treatment is fragmented with clinic follow-up rates of <30%. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are common, but few patients ever obtain necessary behavioral health services.

Bleeding and Thromboembolism After Traumatic Brain Injury in the Elderly: A Real Conundrum.

Background: Elderly patients presenting with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) often have comorbidities that increase risk of thromboembolic (TE) disease and recurrent TBI. A significant number are on anticoagulant therapy at the time of injury and studies suggest that continuing anticoagulation can prevent TE events. Understanding bleeding, recurrent TBI, and TE risk after TBI can help to guide therapy.

First rib fracture: A harbinger of severe trauma?

Background: Prior to routine CT scanning, first rib fractures (FRFs) were considered a harbinger of great vessel injuries. We hypothesized FRFs identified on screening CXR have significant associated injuries, while those identified on CT alone do not.

Methods: We reviewed adult blunt thoracic trauma patients 2014-2015 to identify all FRFs and then tabulated demographics, injury characteristics, and outcomes.

Presence of a dedicated trauma center physiatrist improves functional outcomes following traumatic brain injury.

Background: Maximizing long-term recovery following traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an important end point. We hypothesized that the addition of a dedicated physiatrist specializing in brain injury medicine to the trauma team would lead to improved functional outcomes.

Methods: Data from the Northern NJ TBI Model Systems were queried for all patients admitted to rehabilitation from four regional trauma centers, one with a full-time TBI physiatrist (PHYS) and three without (NO-PHYS).

Risk factors for delirium in older trauma patients admitted to the surgical intensive care unit.

Background: Adults (age > 50 years) admitted to the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) are at high risk for delirium. Little is known about the role traumatic injury plays in the development of delirium because these patients have often been excluded from studies. Identification of specific risk factors for delirium among older adults following injury would be useful to guide prevention strategies.

Delirium prevention program in the surgical intensive care unit improved the outcomes of older adults.

Background: Hospital-acquired delirium is a known risk factor for negative outcomes in patients admitted to the surgical intensive care unit (SICU). Outcomes worsen as the duration of delirium increases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a delirium prevention program and determine whether it decreased the incidence and duration of hospital-acquired delirium in older adults (age>50 y) admitted to the SICU.

The temporal course of intracranial haemorrhage progression: how long is observation necessary?

Introduction: Patients with mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) and intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) are hospitalized and monitored for progression of injury. The timeframe for ICH progression is unknown, and so the optimal duration and location of observation are generally discretionary. The goal of this study was to examine the temporal course of injury progression and establish a timeframe for when haemorrhage ceases.

Utility of repeat head computed tomography in patients with an abnormal neurologic examination after minimal head injury.

Background: Previous studies proposed that repeat head computed tomography (RHCT) is of no value in patients with a minimal head injury (MHI) and normal neurologic examination (NE). The goal of our study was to investigate the value of RHCT in patients with MHI with an abnormal NE.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of adult patients presenting to a Level I trauma center from July 2002 to December 2006 with MHI was performed.

Prosthetic management of the partial foot amputee.

Partial foot amputations provide advantages and challenges to the patient confronting loss of limb and the rehabilitation team. The partial foot amputation offers the potential for retention of plantar load-bearing tissues that are capable of tolerating the forces involved in weight bearing; this can allow the patient to ambulate with or without a prosthesis. Because of the complexity of the foot-ankle complex and the multiple types of partial foot amputations encountered, choosing the appropriate prosthesis can be challenging.