Large snake size suggests increased snakebite severity in patients bitten by rattlesnakes in Southern california.

Objective: To correlate rattlesnake size and other characteristics of envenomation with the severity of envenomation.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 145 charts of patients bitten by rattlesnakes in Southern California between 1995 and 2004, measuring Snakebite Severity Scores (SSS) and characteristics of envenomation that might be correlated with snakebite severity, including rattlesnake size, rattlesnake species, patient size, and anatomic location of the bite. Outcomes measured included SSS, complications of envenomation, number of vials of antivenom used, and length of hospital stay.

Enhancing orientation and retention: one unit's success story.

Enhancing job satisfaction and retention of new employees is an important focus for health care facilities. A unit-specific orientation class was used to teach skills necessary for successful practice on a surgical unit and enhance retention of employees. Class attendees reported an increased level of comfort with the skills necessary for successful employment on the unit.

A clinical advancement process revisited: a descriptive study.

Clinical advancement programs are not evaluated often for effectiveness and participant satisfaction. The advancement committee at this community hospital made the commitment to evaluate participant satisfaction periodically. Revisions were made in the program based on the evaluation findings and implemented in 2002.

Teens' knowledge of risk factors for sports injuries.

Youth participation in sports has increased greatly over the past 20 years. Consequently, there has been a rise in the number of sports injuries. A study was conducted to determine teen's level of physical activity, knowledge about risk factors for sports injuries, use of protective equipment, and parental involvement.

Complications of femoral artery closure devices.

We have examined our prospectively collected experience with femoral artery closure devices. Vasoseal (n = 937), Angioseal (N-742), and Techstar (n = 1001) were utilized consecutively in our laboratory for diagnostic and interventional femoral artery closures. Complications were compared to a similar number of closures with manual compression (MC; n = 1019) before closure devices were utilized.

Ask AONE's experts ... about productivity indicators.

Four experts respond to an AONE member's question about productivity indicators. Experts agree productivity must be measured in a consistent framework across care delivery sites.

A survey of opinions concerning recruitment for the profession among the members of the Virginia Medical Record Association.

A MRA has employed Market Strategies, Inc. (MSI), to undertake a nationwide corporate communications study and campaign. This article discusses a project MSI carried out for the Virginia Medical Record Association.