Publications by authors named "Raina Wallace"
Purpose: There are many infectious and inflammatory causes for elevated core-body temperatures, though they rarely pass 40 ℃ (104 ℉). The term "quad fever" is used for extreme hyperpyrexia in the setting of acute cervical spinal cord injuries (SCIs). The traditional methods of treating hyperpyrexia are often ineffective and reported morbidity and mortality rates approach 100%.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The aim of this study is to evaluate recent national trends in the clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes of patients with isolated axillary artery injuries.
Methods: The National Trauma Data Bank was queried to identify records submitted from 2011 to 2015 that contained an ICD-9-CM diagnosis code for an injury to axillary artery (903.01) and an external cause of injury code indicating blunt or penetrating trauma.
Background: A performance improved project identified elderly trauma patients to have a disproportionate incidence of complications.
Aims: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of a small specialty care unit to decrease complications in patients who no longer warrant care in an intensive care unit (ICU).
Methods: A surgical post-acute treatment unit (SPA) was developed with focused attention to cognition, nutrition, respiration, and mobilization needs of patients who no longer had physiologic need for an intensive care unit environment, but were still in need of increased attention at the bedside.
Objective: To assess the impact of preassigning a single bed in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) for the next trauma admission.
Background: Prolonged emergency department (ED) dwell time before admission to a critical care unit has an adverse effect on patient outcomes and is often due to the lack of an available bed in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Methods: A "Bed Ahead" policy was instituted at an urban level 1 Trauma Public Safety Net Teaching Hospital to preassign 1 SICU bed for the next trauma patient who warrants a critical care admission.
Background: Hip fractures in patients 65 years and older are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. With the steady increase in the elderly population, we implemented an evidence-based clinical practice guideline for the management of hip fractures to optimize patient care and surgical outcomes.
Aims: To evaluate the effects of a multidisciplinary hip fracture care pathway on patient outcomes in the care of elderly patients.
Background: The newest CT scanners provide resolution comparable to MRIs leading many to question when and whether cervical spine MRIs are warranted.
Methods: An 8 year retrospective review identified 241 patients who underwent CT scan and MRI of the cervical spine. The initial clinical examination, cervical spine CT scan, and cervical spine MRI were compared to identify cervical spine injuries that would have been missed had the MRI not been performed.