Background The management of the pediatric trauma patient is variable among trauma centers. In some institutions, the trauma surgeon maintains control of the patient throughout the hospital stay, while others transfer to a pediatric specialist after the initial evaluation and resuscitation period. We hypothesized that handoff to the pediatric surgeon would decrease the length of stay by more efficient coordination with pediatric subspecialists and ancillary staff. Methods A retrospective review from October 2014 to October 2018 was conducted at our rural level 1 trauma center analyzing the length of stay across all demographics and trauma triage levels before and after institution of a handoff protocol from adult specialized trauma surgeons to pediatric surgeons within a 24-hour window. Further analysis included emergency department (ED) disposition to include the effect of handoff on the length of stay in the setting of a higher post-ED acuity, that is, disposition of monitored beds. Results 1267 patient charts were analyzed and the mean length of stay was reduced by .38 days ( t = 5.92, P < .0005) across all demographics, trauma triage levels, post-ED dispositions, and mechanisms of injury after institution of our handoff protocol. Conclusion Handoff from adult specialized trauma surgeons to pediatric surgeons within a 24-hour window at a rural level 1 trauma center significantly improved the length of stay by .38 ( t = 5.92, P < .0005) among pediatric trauma patients in all demographics, trauma triage activations levels, mechanisms of injury, and post-ED dispositions acuity levels.
Isolated hip fractures (IHFs) contribute to functional decline in the elderly. Our purpose was to evaluate IHF at two level 1 trauma centers and the effect of comorbidities on length of stay (LOS), ICU admission, disposition, and mortality. A retrospective study from July 2016 through December 2020 including patients ≥65 with IHFs identified 785 patients. Prior dependent functional status yielded a longer LOS (>6 days vs <6 days, P = .01). Comorbidities were not associated with increased LOS or ICU admission. ICU admission rate was 12.75%. Patients with advanced directive had increased ICU admission (8% vs 3%). The mortality rate was 2%. Increased mortality was seen with advanced directives (17% vs 2%, P < .05) and cirrhosis/substance abuse (12% vs 2%, P < .05). Disposition included home (20%), rehabilitation (43%), and SNF (31%). Comorbidities did not affect ICU admission, LOS, or disposition; however, cirrhosis/substance abuse demonstrated increased mortality.
The Ottawa Ankle Rule and Canadian C-Spine Rule were created to guide the utility of radiographic studies. There are no guidelines to guide X-rays within trauma. Our objective was to evaluate which findings have the highest yield for determining fractures on skeletal x-ray. A retrospective study was performed on 5050 patients at a level one trauma center from January 2018 through October 2019. 2382 patients received X-Rays. Our analysis focused on five categories: limb deformity/obvious open fracture, abrasions, hematoma/contusion/sprain, laceration, and skin tear. Standard demographic and outcome variables were collected. While the cost burden on an overwhelmed system, time in the trauma bay prior to disposition and radiation exposure has not been fully evaluated, our evidence shows that X-Rays ordered for soft tissue defects are less sensitive at identifying fracture (0.0-6.9% fracture detection rate, P = 0.00) than when ordered for limb deformity or obvious fracture.
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