How Many Trauma Admissions Require Acute Trauma Team Interventions?

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the percentage of trauma patients admitted and receiving intervention, and to identify which of these interventions were performed by non-trauma specialists.

Methods: The authors conducted a retrospective chart review of all adult patients who presented to the trauma service between January 2019 and June 2019. Collected data included demographics, trauma activation level, total interventions performed, interventions performed by the trauma team, interventions performed by subspecialty teams, and isolated injuries requiring orthopedic, neurosurgical, or other specialized care.

Falls Among Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic Compared to a Pre-pandemic Period: A Case-Control Study.

Background: Little is known about how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted older adults admitted to the hospital with fall-related injuries. This research sought to determine if there was a difference in patient characteristics and hospital outcomes among older adults with fall-related injuries during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to a non-pandemic period.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients 65 years or older admitted for traumatic falls before and during COVID-19 was undertaken.

Should Infants with Blunt Traumatic Brain Injuries and Intracranial Hemorrhage Have Routine Repeat Imaging?

Introduction: The practice of repeat head CT imaging in infants as a distinct population is poorly studied. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and utility of repeat head CT in the infant population.

Methods: A 10-year retrospective review was conducted of infants with blunt traumatic head injuries (N = 50) that presented to a trauma center.

Evaluation of Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta Complications in a Community-Based Trauma Center.

Background: Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is a method of management of noncompressible torso hemorrhage in trauma patients. Increased utilization has shown increased vascular complications and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate complications of REBOA placement in a community trauma setting.

Evaluation of Outcomes and Treatment Options Among Trauma Patients with Abdominal Vascular Injuries.

Introduction: Abdominal vascular injuries are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Treatment options include non-operative management, open repair, and endovascular procedures. This study aimed to characterize patients and detail treatment modalities among those who sustained a traumatic abdominal vascular injury.

The Emergent General Surgical Patient: Evaluation Patterns in the Emergency Department.

Introduction: Emergency general surgery patients represent a growing segment of general surgical admissions and national healthcare burden. A paucity of literature exists evaluating the work-up of these patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED), particularly possible evaluation differentials between emergency physicians and physician assistants or advanced practice registered nurses (PA/ APRNs). The purpose of this study was to evaluate differences in ED work-up of general surgical patients between emergency physicians and PA/APRNs.

Pre-Hospital Spinal Immobilization: Neurological Outcomes for Spinal Motion Restriction Versus Spinal Immobilization.

Introduction: New recommendations for emergency medical services spinal precautions limit long spinal board use to extrication purposes only and are to be removed immediately. Outcomes for spinal motion restriction against spinal immobilization were studied.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of trauma patients was conducted over a six-month period at a level I trauma center.

An analysis of missed injuries at a level 1 trauma center with a tertiary survey protocol.

Background: Tertiary surveys can help identify missed injuries, but how and when to conduct them remains uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of a policy requiring tertiary survey completion within 24 h post-admission.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed with a pre-intervention time-period of 8/1/2019-1/31/2020, where tertiary surveys were performed prior to discharge (n = 762).

Geriatric Trauma Patients: Outcomes Before and After Addition of a Hospitalist Consultation.

Background: Research has shown improvements in patient care and outcomes with addition of a rounding geriatrician. The purpose of this study was to determine if addition of a hospitalist consultation improved patient outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of all trauma patients, ≥65 years, before (n=481) and after (n=430) addition of a hospitalist consultant.

Octogenarian Motor Vehicle Collisions: Injury Patterns Matter.

Introduction: Motor vehicle collision (MVC) is the second most common mechanism of injury among octogenarians and is on the rise. These "oldest old" trauma patients have higher mortality rates than expected. This study examined potential factors influencing this increased mortality including comorbidities, medications, injury patterns, and hospital interventions.

Chief Resident Indirect Supervision in Training Safety Study: Is a Chief Resident General Surgery Service Safe for Patients?

Objective: There has been concern expressed amongst the medical educational community regarding the readiness of general surgery residents in the United States to be competent practicing attendings upon graduation and that limited autonomy may be a contributing factor to this unpreparedness. The purpose of this study was to evaluate an RRC-accredited general surgery residency chief resident acute care surgery service with indirect supervision of cases in terms of safety and outcomes compared to traditional general surgeon cases with direct supervision. The study focused on common general surgical procedures, specifically cholecystectomies, appendectomies, and inguinal and ventral hernia repairs.

Residency Prep Course Instills Confidence in Interns.

Introduction: Physicians entering surgical residency often feel unprepared for tasks expected of them beginning July 1, including responding to pages, writing orders, doing procedures independently, and a multitude of other requirements. Our aim was to design a surgical boot camp to help graduating senior medical students feel more confident entering residency.

Methods: A two-week intensive surgery residency prep course was conducted in the spring of 2019 at an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited General Surgery residency program.

Fatal Agricultural Accidents in Kansas: A Thirty-Nine-Year Follow-Up Study with an Emphasis on Vehicular Fatalities.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate trends in agricultural mortality before and after implementation of safety initiatives. Retrospective review of Kansas mortality data from agriculture-related injuries from 1979 to 2018. The 39-year period was stratified into four periods to compare mechanisms of injury and fatality rates between study periods.

Concomitant placement of dialysis and infusion catheters in the right internal jugular vein in the intensive care setting: Is it safe?

Purpose: This study examined the safety and efficacy of placing both a central venous dialysis catheter and a central venous catheter for infusion in the right internal jugular vein compared to only a central venous dialysis catheter.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review for all adult patients who underwent the placement of the right internal jugular dialysis catheter by a single surgeon. Patients were grouped based on whether they received a tunneled dual lumen dialysis catheter alone or in combination with a central venous infusion catheter in the right internal jugular vein.

Efficacy of Intravenous Acetaminophen as Adjunct Post-Operative Analgesic in Cardiac Surgery: A Retrospective Study.

Introduction: The dose-dependent adverse events associated with post-operative opioid use may be reduced when opioids are used in conjunction with intravenous acetaminophen. The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes in median sternotomy patients receiving intravenous acetaminophen in addition to intravenous opioids versus intravenous opioids only.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 122 adult patients undergoing median sternotomy at a regional tertiary-referral center.

Incidence of Gunshot Wounds: Before and After Implementation of a Shall Issue Conceal Carry Law.

Introduction: This study examined the incidence of gunshot wounds before and after enacting a conceal carry (CC) law in a predominately rural state.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of all patients who were admitted with a gunshot injury to a Level I trauma center. Patient data collected included demographics, injury details, hospital course, and discharge destination.

Incidence and circumstances of pediatric fall-related injuries: Which fall variables matter?

Background: This study's purpose was to determine if age, fall height, fall mechanism, landing surface, and landing position are associated with injury severity and hospital outcomes among pediatric fall patients.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of patients aged ≤18 years who sustained fall-related injuries admitted to an American College of Surgeons verified Level 1 trauma center from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2015.

Results: Patient age, fall mechanism, landing position, and landing surface were associated with the need for surgery.

A Tale of Two Campuses? An Analysis of Two Affiliated Medical School Campuses With Different Match Rates in General Surgery.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare factors that contribute to increased match rates into general surgery.

Design: Survey study.

Setting: University of Kansas School of Medicine Campuses.

Breast cancer treatment in the elderly: Do treatment plans that do not conform to NCCN recommendations lead to worse outcomes?

Background: Aging remains one of the greatest risk factors for development of new breast cancer with more than 30% of breast cancers occurring after the age of 75. Elderly women have been found to not conform with all aspects of treatment recommendations. Our study compared outcomes of elderly breast cancer patients whose treatment did or did not conform to NCCN guidelines.

An evaluation of blood product utilization rates with massive transfusion protocol: Before and after thromboelastography (TEG) use in trauma.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if thromboelastography (TEG) is associated with reduced blood product utilization for trauma patients undergoing massive transfusion protocol (MTP) compared to traditional coagulation tests.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on an intent-to-treat basis of trauma patients undergoing MTP (Pre-TEG = Period I vs. Post-TEG = Period II).