Nonoccupational Postexposure Human Immunodeficiency Virus Prophylaxis: Acceptance Following Sexual Assault.

Background: Nonoccupational postexposure prophylaxis (nPEP) for HIV following sexual assault may decrease the likelihood of HIV transmission.

Objective: The purpose of this exploratory chart review study was to examine factors associated with patients accepting post-sexual assault nPEP at three forensic nurse examiner programs in urban settings.

Methods: Forensic nursing charts of patients presenting for acute sexual assault care were reviewed as part of a mixed-methods study.

Factors Associated With Forensic Nurses Offering HIV nPEP Status Post Sexual Assault.

Nonoccupational, postexposure prophylaxis (nPEP) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is offered inconsistently to patients who have been sexually assaulted. This may be due to Forensic Nurse Examiner (FNE) programs utilizing diverse nPEP protocols and HIV risk assessment algorithms. This study examines factors associated with FNEs offering nPEP to patients following sexual assault at two FNE programs in urban settings.

Polymorphisms in the glucocorticoid receptor co-chaperone FKBP5 predict persistent musculoskeletal pain after traumatic stress exposure.

Individual vulnerability factors influencing the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis may contribute to the risk of the development of persistent musculoskeletal pain after traumatic stress exposure. The objective of the study was to evaluate the association between polymorphisms in the gene encoding FK506 binding protein 51, FKBP5, a glucocorticoid receptor co-chaperone, and musculoskeletal pain severity 6 weeks after 2 common trauma exposures. The study included data from 2 prospective emergency department-based cohorts: a discovery cohort (n=949) of European Americans experiencing motor vehicle collision and a replication cohort of adult European American women experiencing sexual assault (n=53).

Conducted electrical weapon (TASER) use against minors: a shocking analysis.

Objective: Conducted electrical weapons (CEWs) such as the TASER are often used by law enforcement (LE) personnel during suspect apprehension. Previous studies have reported an excellent safety profile and few adverse outcomes with CEW use in adults. We analyzed the safety and injury profile of CEWs when used during LE apprehension of children and adolescents, a potentially vulnerable population.

Safety and injury profile of conducted electrical weapons used by law enforcement officers against criminal suspects.

Study Objective: Conducted electrical weapons such as the Taser are commonly used by law enforcement agencies. The safety of these weapons has been the subject of scrutiny and controversy; previous controlled studies in animals and healthy humans may not accurately reflect the risks of conducted electrical weapons used in actual conditions. We seek to determine the safety and injury profile of conducted electrical weapons used against criminal suspects in a field setting.

Paramedic rapid sequence intubation for severe traumatic brain injury: perspectives from an expert panel.

Although early intubation has become standard practice in the prehospital management of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), many patients cannot be intubated without neuromuscular blockade. Several emergency medical services (EMS) systems have implemented paramedic rapid sequence intubation (RSI) protocols, with published reports documenting apparently conflicting outcomes effects. In response, the Brain Trauma Foundation assembled a panel of experts to interpret the existing literature regarding paramedic RSI for severe TBI and offer guidance for EMS systems considering adding this skill to the paramedic scope of practice.

Prehospital rapid sequence intubation for head trauma: conditions for a successful program.

Background: Recent reports have questioned the safety and efficacy of prehospital rapid sequence intubation (RSI) for patients with head trauma. The purpose of this study is to determine the rate of successful prehospital RSI, associated complications, and delays in transport of critically injured trauma patients treated by a select, well-trained group of paramedics with frequent exposure to this procedure and a rigorous quality control system.

Methods: A helicopter paramedic group's database of patient flight records (1999 to 2003) was merged with registry data of a suburban Level I trauma center.