In this cross-sectional study, we surveyed all pediatric orthopedic surgeons in Saudi Arabia using an anonymous electronic questionnaire composed of 23 items to identify the rate of occupational injuries and obtain other relevant information. Thirty-nine participants completed the questionnaire (response rate: 83%). Participants who sustained occupational injuries throughout their careers represented 82.5%. The most injured areas were the hands, eyes, and back by 54.5%, 24.2%, and 15.2%, respectively. Approximately 11.1% were injured while operating on infected patients. Approximately 30.3% reported their injuries to their institution. We concluded that the rate of occupational injuries among pediatric orthopedic surgeons is very high and underreported.

Background Rapid Response Teams were developed to provide interventions for deteriorating patients. Their activation depends on timely detection of deterioration. Automated calculation of warning scores may lead to early recognition, and improvement of RRT effectiveness. Method This was a “Before” and “After” study, in the “Before” period ward nurses activated RRT after manually recording vital signs and calculating warning scores. In the “After” period, vital signs and warning calculations were automatically relayed to RRT through a wireless monitoring network. Results When compared to the before group, the after group had significantly lower incidence and rate of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) (2.3 / 1000 inpatient days versus 3.8 / 1000 inpatient days respectively, p = 0.01), significantly shorter length of hospital stay and lower hospital mortality, but significantly higher number of RRT activations. In multivariable logistic regression model, being in the “After” group decreases odds of CPR by 33% (OR = 0.67 [95% CI: 0.46–0.99]; p = 0.04). There was no difference between groups in ICU admission. Conclusion Automated activation of the RRT significantly reduced CPR events and rates, improved CPR success rate, reduced hospital length of stay and mortality, but increased the number of RRT activations. There were no differences in unplanned ICU admission or readmission.

BackgroundRapid Response Teams were developed to provide interventions for deteriorating patients. Their activation depends on timely detection of deterioration. Automated calculation of warning signs may lead to early recognition, and improvement of RRT effectiveness.MethodThis was a “Before” and “After” study, in the “Before” period ward nurses activated RRT after manually recording vital signs and calculating warning scores. In the “After” period, vital signs and warning calculations were automatically relayed to RRT through a wireless monitoring network.ResultsThe “After” group had significantly lower incidence and rates of cardiopulmonary resuscitation compared to the “Before” group (2.3 / 1000 inpatient days versus 3.8 / 1000 inpatient days respectively, p = 0.01), the “Before” group had a significantly higher hospital length of stay, and significantly fewer visits by the RRT. In multivariable logistic regression model, being in the “After” group decreases odds of CPR by 30% (OR = 0.7 [95% CI: 0.44 – 0.97]; p = 0.02). There was no difference between groups in unplanned ICU admission or readmission.ConclusionAutomated activation of the RRT resulted in significant reduction of CPR events and rate, reduction of hospital length of stay, and increase in the number of visits by the RRT. There was no difference in unplanned ICU admission or readmission.