How many times have you been in the ER when a trauma patient comes in and you take a pen and paper and begin to calculate an injury severity score? I know what you’re thinking… #aintnobodygottimeforthat… especially in a busy…
Hemorrhage is one of the leading causes of mortality in trauma patients: responsible for approximately 30-40% of deaths overall and 50% of deaths within the first 24-hours post-trauma. Wow. That’s a great deal. So let them have blood? Well… not…
I think we can all agree that seatbelts are wonderful inventions. Developed in the 1960s, these protective devices have been shown to cause a 45-60% decrease in fatal injury associated with motor vehicle collisions. However, as with anything in life—there…
Recently, I reviewed a pediatric spinal trauma case. The recommendation for steroids was the most controversial part of the case. One service recommended it, another didn’t. One service from another hospital where the patient was to be transferred recommended it,…
“Life is tough enough without having someone kick you from the inside.”—Rita Rudner Thankfully, these teeny kicks don’t cause trauma!! Critical illness, including trauma, actually affects less than 1% of all pregnancies in the US. However, this patient population can…
ED thoracotomies were introduced into medicine circa 1900, with endless debate and controversy to follow. It’s a procedure that no doubt can save a patient’s life, as without this “last ditch” effort, mortality would be 100% in a trauma patient…
We’re always talking about reducing health care costs. One of the ways major ways to reduce costs is to stop ordering unnecessary tests. Let’s talk about CT scans for a minute. CT scans can cost anywhere from $300-1500 per scan…