Preinjury statin use and thromboembolic events in trauma: a 10-year retrospective evaluation.

Background: Traumatic injury is well known to increase the risk of venous thromboembolic events (VTEs), occurring in up to 58% of trauma patients. Statin medications have significant anti-inflammatory properties and have been shown to reduce the risk of VTE. We hypothesized that trauma patients who received statin medication before injury would have a lower incidence of VTE after injury.

Association between seatbelt sign and internal injuries in the contemporary airbag era: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Literature predating routine availability of airbags reported an association between seatbelt signs and internal injuries. We measured this association among patients involved in motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) with airbag deployment.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study by chart review of all MVC patients presenting to our Emergency Department (ED) during 1 January 2008-30 September 2015.

Prevalence and impact of late defecation in the critically ill, thermally injured adult patient.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of late defecation (absence of laxation for more than 6 days after admission) as an indicator of lower-gastrointestinal (GI) tract dysfunction in burn patients. In addition, the authors wanted to determine whether the addition of polyethylene glycol 3350 to the standard bowel regimen led to improvement in markers of lower-GI function and outcomes. The authors conducted a retrospective chart review of patients admitted to the burn intensive care unit during a 26-month period.

Verification and regionalization of trauma systems: the impact of these efforts on trauma care in the United States.

Efforts to develop trauma systems in the United States followed the publication of the landmark article, "Accidental Death and Disability: The Neglected Disease of Modern Society," by the National Academy of Sciences (1966) and have resulted in the implementation of a system of care for the seriously injured in most states and within the US military. In 2007, Hoyt and Coimbra published an article detailing the history, organization, and future directions of trauma systems within the United States. This article provides an update of the developments that have occurred in trauma systems in system verification and regionalization.