scholarly journals Radiation Exposure From CT Scanning in the Resuscitative Phase of Trauma Care: A Level One Trauma Centre Experience

CJEM ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 617-623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorri Beatty ◽  
Elizabeth Furey ◽  
Cupido Daniels ◽  
Avery Berman ◽  
John M. Tallon

AbstractObjectivesThe initial management of a trauma patient often involves imaging in the form of x-rays, computed tomography (CT) and other radiographic studies, which expose the patient to ionizing radiation, an entity known to cause tissue injury and malignancy at high doses. The purpose of this study was to use a calculation-based method to determine the radiation exposure of trauma patients undergoing trauma team activation in a Canadian tertiary-care trauma centre.MethodsA retrospective chart review was conducted using the Nova Scotia Provincial Trauma Registry. All patients age 16 years old and over who underwent trauma team activation between March 1, 2008 and March 1, 2009 were included. Patients who died prior to imaging tests were excluded. Dose reports for each CT were used to calculate a whole-body radiation dose for each patient.ResultsThere were 230 trauma team activations during the study period, of which 206 had CT imaging. Data were available for 162 patients. The mean whole-body radiation exposure for all patients was 24.4±10.3 mSv, which may correlate to one additional cancer death for every 100 trauma patients scanned.ConclusionsTrauma patients are exposed to significant amounts of radiation during their initial trauma work-up, which may increase the risk of fatal cancer. Clinicians who care for these patients must be aware of the radiation exposure, and take measures to limit radiation exposure of trauma patients.

2020 ◽  
Vol 189 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-47
Author(s):  
Anna Bågenholm ◽  
Pål Løvhaugen ◽  
Rune Sundset ◽  
Tor Ingebrigtsen

Abstract This audit describes ionizing and non-ionizing diagnostic imaging at a regional trauma centre. All 144 patients (males 79.2%, median age 31 years) met with trauma team activation from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015 were included. We used data from electronic health records to identify all diagnostic imaging and report radiation exposure as dose area product (DAP) for conventional radiography (X-ray) and dose length product (DLP) and effective dose for CT. During hospitalization, 134 (93.1%) underwent X-ray, 122 (84.7%) CT, 92 (63.9%) focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST), 14 (9.7%) ultrasound (FAST excluded) and 32 (22.2%) magnetic resonance imaging. One hundred and sixteen (80.5%) underwent CT examinations during trauma admissions, and 73 of 144 (50.7%) standardized whole body CT (SWBCT). DAP values were below national reference levels. Median DLP and effective dose were 2396 mGycm and 20.42 mSv for all CT examinations, and 2461 mGycm (national diagnostic reference level 2400) and 22.29 mSv for a SWBCT.


BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. e024190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mete Erdogan ◽  
Nelofar Kureshi ◽  
Saleema A Karim ◽  
John M Tallon ◽  
Mark Asbridge ◽  
...  

ObjectivesAlthough alcohol screening is an essential requirement of level I trauma centre accreditation, actual rates of compliance with mandatory alcohol testing in trauma patients are seldom reported. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) testing in patients requiring trauma team activation (TTA) for whom blood alcohol testing was mandatory, and to elucidate patient-level, injury-level and system-level factors associated with BAC testing.DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingTertiary trauma centre in Halifax, Canada.Participants2306 trauma patients who required activation of the trauma team.Primary outcome measureThe primary outcome was the rate of BAC testing among TTA patients. Trends in BAC testing over time and across patient and injury characteristics were described. Multivariable logistic regression examined patient-level, injury-level and system-level factors associated with testing.ResultsOverall, 61% of TTA patients received BAC testing despite existence of a mandatory testing protocol. Rates of BAC testing rose steadily over the study period from 33% in 2000 to 85% in 2010. Testing varied considerably across patient-level, injury-level and system-level characteristics. Key factors associated with testing were male gender, younger age, lower Injury Severity Score, scene Glasgow Coma Scale score <9, direct transport to hospital and presentation between midnight and 09:00 hours, or on the weekend.ConclusionsAt this tertiary trauma centre with a policy of empirical alcohol testing for TTA patients, BAC testing rates varied significantly over the 11-year study period and distinct factors were associated with alcohol testing in TTA patients.


2020 ◽  
pp. 000313482095145
Author(s):  
Ram V. Anantha ◽  
Matthew D. Painter ◽  
Franck Diaz-Garelli ◽  
Andrew M. Nunn ◽  
Preston R. Miller ◽  
...  

Background Elderly trauma patients are at risk for undertriage, resulting in substantial morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to determine whether implementation of geriatric-specific trauma team activation (TTA) protocols appropriately identified severely-injured elderly patients. Methods This single-center retrospective study evaluated all severely injured (injury severity score [ISS] >15), geriatric (≥65 years) patients admitted to our Level 1 tertiary-care hospital between January 2014 and September 2017. Undertriage was defined as the lack of TTA despite presence of severe injuries. The primary outcome was all-cause in-hospital mortality; secondary outcomes were mortality within 48 hours of admission and urgent hemorrhage control. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of appropriate triage in this study. Results Out of 1039 severely injured geriatric patients, 628 (61%) did not undergo TTA. Undertriaged patients were significantly older and had more comorbidities. In-hospital mortality was 5% and 31% in the undertriaged and appropriately triaged groups, respectively ( P < .0001). One percent of undertriaged patients needed urgent hemorrhage control, compared to 6% of the appropriately triaged group ( P < .0001). One percent of undertriaged patients died within 48 hours compared to 19% in the appropriately triaged group ( P < .0001). Predictors of appropriate triage include GCS, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, lactic acid, ISS, shock, and absence of dementia, stroke, or alcoholism. Discussion Geriatric-specific TTA guidelines continue to undertriage elderly trauma patients when using ISS as a metric to measure undertriage. However, undertriaged patients have much lower morbidity and mortality, suggesting the geriatric-specific TTA guidelines identify those patients at highest risk for poor outcomes.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Hudson ◽  
Adrian Boyle ◽  
Stephanie Wiltshire ◽  
Lisa McGerty ◽  
Sara Upponi

Introduction. Whole body CT is being used increasingly in the primary survey of major trauma patients. We evaluated whether omitting plain films of the chest and pelvis in the primary survey was safe. We compared the probability of survival of patients and time to CT who had plain X-rays to those who did not.Method. We performed a database study on major trauma patients admitted between 2008 and 2010 using data from Trauma, Audit and Research Network (TARN) and our PACS system. We included adult major trauma patients who has an ISS of greater than 15 and underwent whole body CT.Results. 245 patients were included in the study. 44 (17.9%) did not undergo plain films. The median time to whole body CT from the time of admission was longer (47 minutes) in patients having plain films, than those who did not have plain films performed (30 minutes),P<0.005. Mortality was increased in the group who received plain films, 9.5% compared to 4.5%, but this was not statistically significant (P=0.77).Conclusion. We conclude that plain films may be safely omitted during the primary survey of selected major trauma patients.


CJEM ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (S1) ◽  
pp. S58-S59
Author(s):  
R. Connolly ◽  
M. Woo ◽  
J. Lampron ◽  
J.J. Perry

Introduction: Trauma code activation is initiated by emergency physicians using physiologic and anatomic criteria, mechanism of injury and patient demographic factors in conjunction with data obtained from emergency medical service personnel. This enables rapid definitive treatment of trauma patients. Our objective was to identify factors associated with delayed trauma team activation. Methods: We conducted a health records review to supplement data from a regional trauma center database. We assessed consecutive cases from the trauma database from January 2008 to March 2014 including all cases in which a trauma code was activated by an emergency physician. We defined a delay in trauma code activation as a time greater than 30 minutes from time to arrival to trauma team activation. Data were collected in Microsoft Excel and analyzed in Statistical Analysis System (SAS). We conducted univariate analysis for factors potentially influencing trauma team activation and we subsequently used multiple logistic regression analysis models for delayed activation in relation to mortality, length of stay and time to operative management. Results: 1020 patients were screened from which 174 patients were excluded, as they were seen directly by the trauma team. 846 patients were included for our analysis. 4.1% (35/846) of trauma codes were activated after 30 minutes. Mean age was 40.8 years in the early group versus 49.2 in the delayed group p=0.01. There was no significant difference in type of injury, injury severity or time from injury between the two groups. Patients were over 70 years in 7.6% in the early activation group vs 17.1% in the delayed group (p=0.04). 77.7% of the early group were male vs 71.4% in the delayed group (p=0.39). There was no significant difference in mortality (15.2% vs 11.4% p=0.10), median length of stay (10 days in both groups p=0.94) or median time to operative management (331 minutes vs 277 minutes p=0.52). Conclusion: Delayed activation is linked with increasing age with no clear link with increased mortality. Given the severe injuries in the delayed cohort which required activation of the trauma team further emphasis on the older trauma patient and interventions to recognize this vulnerable population should be made. When assessing elderly trauma patients emergency physicians should have a low threshold to activate trauma teams.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. e000282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amund Hovengen Ringen ◽  
Iver Anders Gaski ◽  
Hege Rustad ◽  
Nils Oddvar Skaga ◽  
Christine Gaarder ◽  
...  

BackgroundThe elderly trauma patient has increased mortality compared with younger patients. During the last 15 years, initial treatment of severely injured patients at Oslo University Hospital Ulleval (OUHU) has changed resulting in overall improved outcomes. Whether this holds true for the elderly trauma population needs exploration and was the aim of the present study.MethodsWe performed a retrospective study of 2628 trauma patients 61 years or older admitted to OUHU during the 12-year period, 2002–2013. The population was stratified based on age (61–70 years, 71–80 years, 81 years and older) and divided into time periods: 2002–2009 (P1) and 2010–2013 (P2). Multiple logistic regression models were constructed to identify clinically relevant core variables correlated with mortality and trauma team activation rate.ResultsCrude mortality decreased from 19% in P1 to 13% in P2 (p<0.01) with an OR of 0.77 (95 %CI 0.65 to 0.91) when admitted in P2. Trauma team activation rates increased from 53% in P1 to 72% in P2 (p<0.01) with an OR of 2.16 (95% CI 1.93 to 2.41) for being met by a trauma team in P2. Mortality increased from 10% in the age group 61–70 years to 26% in the group above 80 years. Trauma team activation rates decreased from 71% in the age group 61–70 years to 50% in the age group older than 80 years. Median ISS were 17 in all three age groups and in both time periods.DiscussionDevelopment of a multidisciplinary dedicated trauma service is associated with increased trauma team activation rate as well as survival in geriatric trauma patients. As expected, mortality increased with age, although inversely related to the likelihood of being met by a trauma team. Trauma team activation should be considered for all trauma patients older than 70 years.Level of evidenceLevel IV.


scholarly journals Trauma 2021Perceptions of a trauma team regarding in situ simulationEpidemiology of submersion injuries in Canadian children and adolescents: 1990–2018A survey of medical and administrative directors on REBOA use in Canadian trauma centresCut to the chase: comparing cutting tools in the exposure of simulated trauma patientsPediatric major trauma. Anaesthesia education: airway, breathing, coffee and cases 2020–2021Geriatric trauma care at a level 1 trauma centre: Are we following best practice?Was the introduction of a provincially standardized consensus statement for postintubation analgesia and sedation associated with increased use of associated pharmacological therapies in New Brunswick?Are there important variations in the care of adult trauma patients with isolated, nonoperative subdural hematomas between those admitted to a neurosurgical centre and those admitted to a non-neurosurgical centre for their entire inpatient stay?Flattening the curve on the negative psychosocial impact of trauma on the family of acute care trauma survivors: a quantitative studyDoes ACLS belong in ATLS? Seeking evidence during resuscitative thoracotomyAutologous omental harvest for microvascular free flap reconstruction of a severe traumatic scalp degloving injury: a case reportDerivation and validation of actionable quality indicators targeting reductions in complications for injury admissionsASA dosing practices in the management of blunt cerebrovascular injury: a retrospective reviewA retrospective analysis of bicycle lane collisions in Vancouver, British Columbia, from 2012 to 2017Evaluating the Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) process at Vancouver General HospitalAlcohol use and trauma in Alberta after COVID-19 lockdown: overrepresentation and undertreatment are opportunities for improvementMental health and addiction diagnoses are linked to increased violent injuries and gaps in provision of resources during the COVID-19 pandemicPain management strategies after orthopedic trauma in a level 1 trauma centre: a descriptive study with a view of optimizing practicesStudy to Actively Warm Trauma Patients (STAY WARM): a feasibility pilot evaluationPrehospital trauma care in civilian and military settings including cold environments: a systematic review and knowledge gap analysisAntibiotic administration in open fractures: adherence to guidelines at a Canadian trauma centreAre we meeting massive transfusion protocol activation and blood product delivery times in trauma patients? A retrospective review from 2014 to 2018Unplanned returns to the operating room: a quality improvement initiative at a level 1 trauma centreStopping the bleed: the history and rebirth of Canadian freeze-dried plasmaThe state of the evidence for emergency medical services (EMS) care of prehospital severe traumatic brain injury: an analysis of appraised research from the Prehospital Evidence-based Practice programA mixed methods study of a paramedic falls referral program in Nova ScotiaFirst presentations of psychiatric illness at a level 1 trauma centreAlcohol and substance abuse screening in pediatric trauma patients: examining rates of screening and implementing a screen for the pediatric populationMeasuring behavioural quality and quantity of team leaders during simulated interprofessional trauma careImproving rural trauma outcomes: a structured trauma-training program for rural family physicians with enhanced surgical skills — a pilot projectTrauma treatment: evidence-based response to psychological needs after a natural disasterHow prepared are Canadian trauma centres for mass casualty incidents?The catalytic effect of multisource feedback for trauma teams: a pilot studyRetrievable inferior vena cava filter for primary prophylaxis of pulmonary embolism in at-risk trauma patients: a feasibility trialValue of data collected by the medical examiner service on the quality of alcohol and toxicology testing in fatal motor vehicle collisionsPrehospital narrow pulse pressure predicts need for resuscitative thoracotomy and emergent surgical intervention after traumaImpact of a geriatric consultation service on outcomes in older trauma patients: a retrospective pre–post studyExploring physical literacy as a condition of fall mechanism in older adultsIs the use of business intelligence software helpful in planning injury prevention campaigns?Exposure to endotracheal intubation among trauma patients in level 5 trauma centres in New Brunswick — a retrospective reviewAre early specialist consultations helpful predictors of those who require care in level 1 or 2 designated trauma centres?Neurologic outcomes after traumatic cardiac arrest: a systematic reviewClosed-loop communication in the trauma bay: identifying opportunities for team performance improvement through a video review analysisEmbolization in nonsplenic trauma: outcomes at a Canadian trauma hospitalThe matrix: grouping ICD-10-CA injury codes by body region and nature of injury for reporting purposesEvaluation of low-value clinical practices in acute trauma care: a multicentre retrospective studyTrauma 101: a virtual case-based trauma conference as an adjunct to medical educationPhysiologic considerations, indications and techniques for ECLS in trauma: experience of a level 1 trauma centreEngaging patients in the selection of trauma quality indicatorsStrategies aimed at preventing chronic opioid use in trauma and acute care surgery: a scoping reviewAugmented reality surgical telementoring for leg fasciotomyIdentification of high-risk trauma patients requiring major interventions for traumatic hemorrhage: a prospective study of clinical gestaltEvaluating best practices in trauma care of older adultsBetween paradigms: comparing patient and parent experiences of injured adolescents treated at pediatric or adult trauma centresEarly outcomes after implementation of chest trauma management protocol in Vancouver General HospitalUtility of diagnostic peritoneal lavage versus focused abdominal sonography for trauma in penetrating abdominal injuryTime to definitive surgery and survival in pediatric patients younger than 18 years with gunshot woundsThe effect of chronic obstructive lung disease on post-traumatic acute respiratory distress syndrome: predictors of morbidity and mortalityThe association between injury type and clinical outcomes in patients with traumatic renal injury after nephrectomyWhen low complication rates are a bad sign: the negative impact of introducing an electronic medical record on TQIP data completenessClinical handover from paramedic services to the trauma team: a video review analysis of the IMIST-AMBO protocol implementationGeriatric Recovery and Enhancement Alliance in Trauma (GREAT) multidisciplinary quality improvement initiative: improving process and outcome measures for geriatric trauma patientsIncreasing the safety of inadvertent iliac artery device deployment with the COBRA-OS, a novel low-profile REBOA deviceIs it better to watch before or listen while doing? A randomized trial of video-modelling versus telementoring for out-of-scope tube thoracostomy insertion performed by search and rescue medicsIndications for prehospital civilian tourniquet application by first responders: an expert consensus opinion of military physicians by the Delphi method

2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (5 Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. S37-S64
Author(s):  
Olga Bednarek ◽  
Mike O’Leary ◽  
Sean Hurley ◽  
Caleb Cummings ◽  
Ruth Bird ◽  
...  

1998 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 487-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. E. Ajani ◽  
D. J. Cooper ◽  
C. D. Scheinkestei ◽  
J. Laidlaw ◽  
D. V. Tuxen

There is no uniformly accepted protocol for the radiological assessment of the cervical spine in critically ill trauma patients. The Alfred Trauma Centre receives about 40% of Victorian patients with major trauma. A protocol was developed for cervical spine evaluation, comprising three plain X-rays and a swimmer's view added when necessary to visualize C7-T1, CT and/or MRI for abnormal regions, and functional (flexion/extension) X-rays to exclude cervical spine instability due to soft tissue trauma. Functional X-rays were performed “actively” in conscious patients and “passively” in unconscious patients. One hundred consecutive patients were prospectively evaluated and 91 survived to complete data collection. Six (6.6%) had unstable cervical spine injuries—five detected with plain X-rays and one (1.1%) detected only with passive functional X-rays. Static cervical X-rays cost $93.00 per patient. Functional cervical X-rays added $42.00 per patient and were uncomplicated. Collar complications were common when collars remained on for more than 72 hours. This low detection rate is clinically important because of the enormous potential social and economic costs of missed unstable cervical spine fractures.


CJEM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (S1) ◽  
pp. S29-S30
Author(s):  
K. Yadav ◽  
V. Boucher ◽  
N. Le Sage ◽  
C. Malo ◽  
E. Mercier ◽  
...  

Introduction: Older (age >=65 years) trauma patients suffer increased morbidity and mortality. This is due to under-triage of older trauma victims, resulting in lack of transfer to a trauma centre or failure to activate the trauma team. There are currently no Canadian guidelines for the management of older trauma patients. The objective of this study was to identify modifiers to the prehospital and emergency department (ED) phases of major trauma care for older adults based on expert consensus. Methods: We conducted a modified Delphi study to assess senior-friendly major trauma care modifiers based on national expert consensus. The panel consisted of 24 trauma care providers across Canada, including medical directors, paramedics, emergency physicians, emergency nurses, trauma surgeons and trauma administrators. Following a literature review, we developed an online Delphi survey consisting of 16 trauma care modifiers. Three online survey rounds were distributed and panelists were asked to score items on a 9-point Likert scale. The following predetermined thresholds were used: appropriate (median score 7–9, without disagreement); inappropriate (median score 1–3; without disagreement), and uncertain (any median score with disagreement). The disagreement index (DI) is a method for measuring consensus within groups. Agreement was defined a priori as a DI score <1. Results: There was a 100% response rate for all survey rounds. Three new trauma care modifiers were suggested by panelists. Of 19 trauma care modifiers, the expert panel achieved consensus agreement for 17 items. The prehospital modifier with the strongest agreement to transfer to a trauma centre was a respiratory rate <10 or >20 breaths/minute or needing ventilatory support (DI = 0.24). The ED modifier with the strongest level of agreement was obtaining a 12-lead electrocardiogram following the primary and secondary survey for all older adults (DI = 0.01). Two trauma care modifiers failed to reach consensus agreement: transporting older patients with ground level falls to a trauma centre and activating the trauma team based solely on an age >=65 years. Conclusion: Using a modified Delphi process, an expert panel agreed upon 17 trauma care modifiers for older adults in the prehospital and ED phases of care. These modifiers may improve the delivery of senior-friendly trauma care and should be considered when developing local and national trauma guidelines.


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