BACKGROUND Induced hypothermia after cardiac arrest is an accepted neuroprotective strategy. However, its role in cardiac arrest during acute trauma care is not yet defined. To characterize recent experience with this technique at our center, we undertook a detailed chart review of acute trauma patients managed with induced hypothermia after cardiac arrest. PATIENTS From Trauma Registry recor...

Trauma outcomes are improved by protocols for substantial bleeding, typically activated after physician evaluation at a hospital. Previous analysis suggested that prehospital vital signs contained patterns indicating the presence or absence of substantial bleeding. In an observational study of adults (aged ≥18 years) transported to level I trauma centers by helicopter, we investigated the diagn...

BACKGROUND We test the hypothesis that prehospital interventions (PHIs) performed by skilled emergency medical service providers during ground or air transport adversely affect outcome in severely injured trauma patients. METHODS Consecutive trauma activations (March 2012 to June 2013) transported from the scene by air or ground emergency medical service providers were reviewed. PHI was defin...

BACKGROUND Evidence on prehospital administration of the antifibrinolytic tranexamic acid (TXA) in civilian trauma populations is scarce. The aim was to study whether prehospital TXA use in trauma patients was associated with improved outcomes. METHODS The prehospital database of the ADAC (General German Automobile Club) Air Rescue Service was linked with the TraumaRegister of the German Trau...

BACKGROUND A miniature wireless vital signs monitor (MWVSM, www.athena.gtx.com) has been designed according to US Special Operations Command specifications for field monitoring of combat casualties. It incorporates an injury acuity algorithm termed the Murphy Factor (MF), which is calculated from whatever vital signs are available at the moment and changes in the last 30 seconds. We tested the ...

Introduction The prehospital decision of whether to triage a patient to a trauma center can be difficult. Traditional decision rules are based heavily on vital sign abnormalities, which are insensitive in predicting severe injury. Prehospital lactate (PLac) measurement could better inform the triage decision. PLac's predictive value has previously been demonstrated in hypotensive trauma patient...

The measurement of tissue oxygen saturation with a pulse oximeter is of proved value in the hospital setting. The development of a portable oximeter has allowed this investigation to be performed during the prehospital phase of a patient's care. Pulse oximetry was performed at the roadside in 25 patients with abnormal trauma scores and found to be of benefit in detecting and monitoring hypoxia ...

OBJECTIVE To analyze and report trauma registry data; to assess the validity, reliability, and feasibility of the trauma registry; and to discuss lessons learned from this event. METHODS A pre-designed trauma registry data was used for all injured patients admitted to Asir Central hospital after being involved in a major motor vehicle accident. A survey team registered and analyzed the trauma...

BACKGROUND The leading cause of preventable death in the military setting is haemorrhage. Accumulating evidence has established the benefit of tranexamic acid (TXA), an antifibrinolytic, for treating traumatic haemorrhage in the hospital setting. The use of TXA in the prehospital setting, however, has not been previously described. The present study details our initial experience with a field p...

OBJECTIVES Since trauma has a great impact on mortality and preventable morbidity among children and adolescents, in addition to its social consequences, the aim of this study is to evaluate peculiarities regarding prehospital, in-hospital, and interhospital assessment of injured pediatric patients. SOURCES OF DATA The Cochrane database was searched for systematic reviews and controlled trial...