Trauma Commons^™

Foundational Knowledge And Other Predictors Of Commitment To Trauma-Informed Care, Stephanie Anne Sundborg

Dissertations and Theses

Trauma-informed care (TIC) is an approach to service delivery based on the understanding of the prevalence of psychological trauma among service users, knowledge about the impact trauma has on engagement to services, and recognition that service settings can be re-traumatizing. For more than a decade, momentum has been building on this topic. Practitioners are pursuing the knowledge and skills needed to implement trauma-informed service delivery, while organizations are building infrastructure and processes aimed at supporting this approach. Disciplines across many human service sectors are eager to incorporate TIC into policy and practice. Despite this enthusiasm, implementation efforts are slow. Acquiring …

Mindfulness And Law Enforcement: An Effective Approach To Implementing Mindfulness For First Responders, Gina White

Mindfulness Studies Theses

An increasing number of studies show that people employed as first responders in high trauma service jobs tend to experience a high level of stress, at work and after hours. Studies suggest that constant exposure to job related stress leads to both physical and mental dysregulation. This study looks at the effects of implementing mindfulness tools and techniques to those working in law enforcement. Other works on this topic report mindfulness as a successful tool to increase wellbeing to a broad spectrum of populations. The methodology used in this study was designed specifically for first responders. The data findings were …

Quality Improvement In Pediatric Head Trauma With Pecarn Rules Implementation As Computerized Decision Support, Shireen M. Atabaki, Brian Jacobs, Kathleen Jacobs, Samira Shahzeidi, Nia Heard-Garris, Meghan Chamberlain, Robert Grell, James M. Chamberlain

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Background: For the 1.4 million emergency department (ED) visits for traumatic brain injury (TBI) annually in the United States, computed tomography (CT) may be over utilized. The Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network developed 2 prediction rules to identify children at very low risk of clinically important TBI. We implemented these prediction rules as decision support within our electronic health record (EHR) to reduce CT.

Objective: To test EHR decision support implementation in reducing CT rates for head trauma at 2 pediatric EDs.

Methods: We compared monthly CT rates 1 year before [preimplementation (PRE)] and 1 year after [postimplementation (POST)] …

Phoenix Ink: Psychodynamic Motivations For Tattoo Attainment By Survivors Of Trauma, December Renee Maxwell

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Tattoos adorn people from all over the world and date back as far as the Stone Age. Tattoos adorn people from all over the world and motivations for tattoo attainment have been studied recently. Still, there remains limited research on the potential therapeutic properties of tattoo attainment, particularly for survivors of sexual trauma. The purpose of this study was to investigate the experience of the tattoo process for survivors of sexual trauma and their motivations for tattoo attainment. This qualitative exploratory study interviewed both survivors of sexual trauma (N=10) and tattoo artists (N=7) to gain a wider perspective on the …

Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics, And Metabolism Of The Dna-Decoy Ayx1 For The Prevention Of Acute And Chronic Post-Surgical Pain, Julien Mamet, Scott Harris, Michael Klukinov, David C. Yeomans, Renee R. Donahue, Bradley K. Taylor, Kelly Eddinger, Tony Yaksh, Donald C. Manning

Physiology Faculty Publications

Background: AYX1 is an unmodified DNA-decoy designed to reduce acute post-surgical pain and its chronification with a single intrathecal dose at the time of surgery. AYX1 inhibits the transcription factor early growth response protein 1, which is transiently induced at the time of injury and triggers gene regulation in the dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord that leads to long-term sensitization and pain. This work characterizes the AYX1 dose-response profile in rats and the link to AYX1 pharmacokinetics and metabolism in the cerebrospinal fluid, dorsal root ganglia, and spinal cord.

Results: The effects of ascending dose-levels of AYX1 on mechanical …

Emergency Department Approach To Electrical Toothbrush Associated Hand Injury, A Unique Case Of Non-Oropharyngeal Injury., Hannah Robinson, Neal Sikka, Chimere Little, Ali Pourmand

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Puncture wounds are common injuries treated in the emergency department (ED). Prior studies have shown that toothbrushes are common reservoirs for oral flora, especially in regions near the head of the toothbrush near the bristles. ED providers must be aware of the danger associated with bacterial contamination of the associated wound and should be familiar with different pathogens and options for treatment. We present a unique case of a 30-year-old male with non-intraoral injury who presented to the ED after puncturing his left palm with the metal post of an electric toothbrush.

Concussion Screening Evaluation: Bess Vs Sway, Zachariah Hatoum, Aidan Neustadtl, Jeremy Altman, Aurash Zarrinbakhsh, David Milzman

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Introduction: Rapid evaluation of concussion is important in the pre-hospital setting as an easy test. It is also useful in the ED, as too often little is done for concussed patients. The Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) is the current gold standard for evaluating balance, one of the best predictors of concussion. SWAY, a new gyroscope based iPhone application, is being proposed as a more sensitive and more objective test than BESS. This study will compare Sway to BESS to determine if there is equal efficacy.
Method: 74 scholastic and collegiate athletes were administered baseline balance evaluations using Sway. …

Road Traffic Crash Related Injured And Fatal Victims In Karachi From 2007 To 2014: A Time-Series Analysis, Rashid Jooma, Masood Ali Shaikh

Section of Neurosurgery

Injuries and deaths due to road traffic crashes (RTC) are major public health concern. The Road Traffic Injury Research and Prevention Center, collects RTC data on injuries and fatalities from five emergency departments in Karachi. Data generating process (DGP) for RTC from 2007 to 2014, for monthly number of fatal and injured victims were analyzed using autoregressive integrated moving average and vector auto regression, time series models. Results provide strong evidence that the DGP for the current levels of the number of fatalities and injured owing to RTCs are significantly influenced by the own past history of the two series. …

Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia: New Definitions., M Chance Spalding, Michael W Cripps, Christian T Minshall

Trauma and Acute Care Articles

The National Healthcare Safety Network's new classification characterizes all adverse ventilator-associated events (VAE) into a tiered system designed to shift the focus away from ventilator-associated pneumonia as the only important cause or morbidity in ventilated patients. This new surveillance definition of VAE eliminates subjectivity by using clearly defined criteria and facilitates the automated collection of data. This allows for easier comparison and analysis of factors affecting rates of VAE. Numerous studies have been published that demonstrate its clinical application. This article presents the VAE criteria, contrasts the difference from the previous ventilator-associated pneumonia definition, and discusses its implementation over the …

State Emergency Department Opioid Guidelines: Current Status., Robert I Broida, Tanner Gronowski, Andrew F Kalnow, Andrew G Little, Christopher M Lloyd

Trauma and Acute Care Articles

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and categorize current state-sponsored opioid guidelines for the practice of emergency medicine (EM).

METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive search of EM-specific opioid prescribing guidelines and/or policies in each state to determine current state involvement in EM opioid prescribing, as well as to evaluate some of the specifics of each guideline or policy. The search was conducted using an online query and a follow-up email request to each state chapter of ACEP.

RESULTS: We found that 17 states had emergency department-specific guidelines. We further organized the guidelines into four categories: limiting prescriptions …

What's New In Critical Illness And Injury Science? We Must Lead By Hope…., Michael Shay O'Mara

Trauma and Acute Care Articles

No abstract provided.

Driving Simulators – More Than A Video Game!, William D. Mcquilken B.A., Judith M. Schultz B.A.

Department of Surgery

Background: This study aimed to investigate teenager, young adult, and adult knowledge levels on distracted and impaired driving through the use of educational driving simulators. The distracted and impaired driving simulators were customized to instruct participants on the dangers of driving distracted or impaired utilizing consequence videos. The simulators were taken to high schools, colleges/universities, and businesses over a four year period where we hypothesized that they would play a significant role in raising knowledge about the dangers and penalties of these risky driving behaviors and would also help to increase seat belt usage.

Setting: High schools, colleges / universities, …

Advocacy Efforts In Trauma And Acute Care Surgery: Learning To Walk, Lewis J. Kaplan, Erik Barquist, Donald Jenkins, Orlando C. Kirton

Abington Jefferson Health Papers

No abstract provided.

Dysuria: An Uncommon Presentation In Emergency Department Following Bladder Neck Disruption., Ali Pourmand, Assya Abdallah, Hamid Shokoohi, Mindy Park, Marie White, Francis O'Connell

Emergency Medicine Faculty Publications

Prostate cancer is the most common life-threatening cancer diagnosed in men. Complications of prostatectomies vary and often include urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction and pain, while other complications go unreported. While emergency physicians are already familiar with the more common post-operative complications presenting to their departments, including urinary retention, ileus, surgical site infections, venous thromboembolisms and urinary tract infections, they must have a high index of suspicion for rarer complications. We report a case of posterior bladder neck disruption as a complication of a robotic assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy that presented to the emergency department as dysuria and abdominal pain following urination.

Inferior Stemi Complicated By Retroperitoneal Hemorrhage Due To Ruptured Aaa, Farley B. Neasman Iii, Melissa D. Lester, Nepal C. Chowdhury

Marshall Journal of Medicine

When patients present with life threatening conditions, a rapid cost-benefit analysis prioritizes care and commits treatment to a certain course that, in the case of ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) treated with drug-eluting stents (DES), could be fatal if there is any deviation. Antiplatelet therapy is vital and secondary concerns (i.e. bleeding diatheses) may accept suboptimal outcomes – in rare cases, another life-threatening condition may be unmasked, the treatment for which runs directly counter to the first. We present a case of STEMI with high clot burden treated with multiple DES, complicated by retroperitoneal hemorrhage due to a ruptured abdominal …

Feasibility And Usability Of Tele-Interview For Medical Residency Interview, Ali Pourmand, Hayoung Lee, Malika Fair, Kaylah Maloney, Amy Caggiula

Emergency Medicine Faculty Publications

Every year in the United States, medical students and residency programs dedicate millions of dollars to the residency matching process. On-site interviews for training positions involve tremendous financial investment, and time spent detracts from educational pursuits and clinical responsibilities. Students are usually required to fund their own travel and accommodations, adding additional financial burdens to an already costly medical education. Similarly, residency programs allocate considerable funds to interview-day meals, tours, staffing, and social events. With the rapid onslaught of innovations and advancements in the field of telecommunication, technology has become ubiquitous in the practice of medicine. Internet applications have aided …

Does The Normal Four Steps Weight-Bearing Rule Predict The Need For Radiography In Cases Of Blunt Ankle Trauma?, Hassan Amiri, Samad Shams Vahdati, Mehdi Gharehkhani, Radin Maheronnaghsh, Hamid Shokoohi, Vafa Rahimi-Movaghar

Emergency Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Ankle injuries are one of the most common complaints of patients presenting to emergency departments (ED). The Ottawa ankle rules (OAR) was introduced to help physicians to decide who may require x-ray for blunt injuries. The present study aimed at validating the four steps weight-bearing rule of OAR as a sole criterion.

Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted on 214 patients with acute ankle injury who referred to 3 emergency departments over a 7-months period in 2008. Main outcome measures of this survey included the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and the likelihood ratios (positive and …

Staff Perceptions Toward Emergency Clinical Pharmacists In A Saudi Arabian Academic Emergency Department, Jameel Abualenain, Hussain Talal Bakhsh

Emergency Medicine Faculty Publications

Introduction:

In Saudi Arabia, the establishment of pharmacy services as a part of the emergency department is relatively new and has been run by non-residency-trained pharmacists and limited to non-emergency services. We sought to explore emergency department staff members’ perceptions of clinical emergency pharmacy services in an academic emergency department.

Method:

In this survey study, 24 questions were sent to all emergency department staff 9 months after establishing an emergency pharmacist program with the goal of improving medication safety and quality of care.

Results:

Most, 122 out of 145 (84%), emergency department staff members responded to the survey. All 41 …

An Echocardiography Training Program For Improving The Left Ventricular Function Interpretation In Emergency Department; A Brief Report, Mary Jacob, Hamid A. Shokoohi, Fabith Moideen, Amelia Pousson, Keith S. Boniface

Emergency Medicine Faculty Publications

Introduction: Focused training in transthoracic echocardiography enables emergency physicians (EPs) to accurately estimate the left ventricular function. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a brief training program utilizing standardized echocardiography video clips in this regard.
Methods: A before and after design was used to determine the efficacy of a 1 hour echocardiography training program using PowerPoint presentation and standardized echocardiography video clips illustrating normal and abnormal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) as well as video clips emphasizing the measurement of mitral valve E-point septal separation (EPSS). Pre- and post-test evaluation used unique video clips and asked trainees to …

Traumatic Laceration Of The Posterior Tibial Tendon Treated With Novel Technique, Nicholas Miladore, Robert Gorman

Research Day

Abstract Title: TRAUMATIC LACERATION OF THE POSTERIOR TIBIAL TENDON TREATED WITH NOVEL TECHNIQUE Abstract ID: 249 Abstract Category: Clinical Research INTRODUCTION: Posterior tibial tendon (PTT) insufficiency is a common entity, and can result in chronic tendon disruption. Acute disruption is a rare occurrence, but has been described in the literature. Most reported cases are associated with ipsilateral ankle fractures. Laceration of the posterior tibial tendon has also been described, typically in the operative setting as a result of iatrogenic injury. 
CASE REPORT: A 15 year old male presented to the clinic with complaints of right ankle pain and weakness. 2.5 …

Angioembolization Is Necessary With Any Volume Of Contrast Extravasation In Blunt Trauma., Ankur Bhakta, David S Magee, Matthew S Peterson, Michael Shay O'Mara

Trauma and Acute Care Articles

INTRODUCTION: Reduction of nonessential angiogram and embolization for patients sustaining blunt abdominal and pelvic trauma would allow improved utilization and decreased morbidity related to nontherapeutic embolization. We hypothesized that the nature of intravenous contrast extravasation (IVCE) on computed tomography (CT) would be directly related to the finding of extravasation on angiogram and need for embolization.

METHODS: A 5-year retrospective evaluation of trauma patients with IVCE on CT. Demographics, hemodynamics, and IVCE location and maximal dimension/volume were examined for relationship to IVCE on angiography and need for embolization. Primary complications were defined as nephropathy and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

RESULTS: A …

Development Of A Health Care Systems Curriculum., Zachary Pruitt, Rahul Mhaskar, Bryan G. Kane Md, Robert D. Barraco Md, Mph, Deborah J Dewaay, Alexander M. Rosenau Do, Kristin A. Bresnan Md, Marna R. Greenberg Do, Mph, Facep

Department of Emergency Medicine

Background: There is currently no gold standard for delivery of systems-based practice in medical education, and it is challenging to incorporate into medical education. Health systems competence requires physicians to understand patient care within the broader health care system and is vital to improving the quality of care clinicians provide. We describe a health systems curriculum that utilizes problem-based learning across 4 years of systems-based practice medical education at a single institution.

Methods: This case study describes the application of a problem-based learning approach to system-based practice medical education. A series of behavioral statements, called entrustable professional activities, was created …

Eeg Slow Waves In Traumatic Brain Injury: Convergent Findings In Mouse And Man, Mo H. Modarres, Nicholas N. Kuzma, Tracy Kretzmer, Allan I. Pack, Miranda M. Lim

Physics Faculty Publications and Presentations

OBJECTIVE: Evidence from previous studies suggests that greater sleep pressure, in the form of EEG-based slow waves, accumulates in specific brain regions that are more active during prior waking experience. We sought to quantify the number and coherence of EEG slow waves in subjects with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).

METHODS: We developed a method to automatically detect individual slow waves in each EEG channel, and validated this method using simulated EEG data. We then used this method to quantify EEG-based slow waves during sleep and wake states in both mouse and human subjects with mTBI. A modified coherence index …

The Effects Of Tranexamic Acid On Mortality Rate In Trauma Patients Compared To Trauma Patients With No Tranexamic Acid Treatment, Bradley Earl Tolar

Doctoral Projects

Traumatic injury is the leading cause of death for many age groups. Traumatic accidents caused over 130,000 deaths in the United States in 2014. This DNP project studied the effects of Tranexamic acid on mortality rate in trauma patients. After the completion of a needs assessment at a local level II trauma center, a literature review was performed. The literature showed a decrease in mortality rate when patients were administered Tranexamic acid within 3 hours of injury with statistically significant statistics. Also, the data from the literature showed no correlation between vascular occlusive events and Tranexamic acid use in trauma …

A Novel Adaptation Of A Parent-Child Observational Assessment Tool For Appraisals And Coping In Children Exposed To Acute Trauma, Meghan L. Marsac, Nancy Kassam-Adams

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Background: Millions of children worldwide are exposed to acute potentially traumatic events (PTEs) annually. Many children and their families experience significant emotional distress and/or functional impairment following PTEs. While current research has begun to highlight a role for early appraisals and coping in promoting or preventing full recovery from PTEs, the exact nature of the relationships among appraisals, coping, and traumatic stress reactions as well as how appraisals and coping behaviors are influenced by the child's environment (e.g., parents) remains unclear; assessment tools that reach beyond self-report are needed to improve this understanding.

Objective: The objective of the current study …

Blog And Podcast Watch: Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Fareen Zaver, Michael Hansen, C. Leibner, A. Little, M. Lin

Emergency Medicine Faculty Publications

Introduction: By critically appraising open access, educational blogs and podcasts in emergency medicine (EM) using an objective scoring instrument, this installment of the ALiEM (Academic Life in Emergency Medicine) Blog and Podcast Watch series curated and scored relevant posts in the specific areas of pediatric EM.

Methods: The Approved Instructional Resources - Professional (AIR-Pro) series is a continuously building curriculum covering a new subject area every two months. For each area, six EM chief residents identify 3-5 advanced clinical questions. Using FOAMsearch.net to search blogs and podcasts, relevant posts are scored by eight reviewers from the AIR-Pro Board, which is …

Feasibility Of An Ed-To-Home Intervention To Engage Patients: A Mixed-Methods Investigation, Jessica Schumacher, Barbara J. Lutz, Allyson Hall, Jesse M. Pines, Andrea Jones, Phyllis Hendry, Colleen Kalynych, Donna L. Carden

Emergency Medicine Faculty Publications

Introduction: Older, chronically ill patients with limited health literacy are often under-engagedin managing their health and turn to the emergency department (ED) for healthcare needs. Wetested the impact of an ED-initiated coaching intervention on patient engagement and follow-updoctor visits in this high-risk population. We also explored patients’ care-seeking decisions. Methods: We conducted a mixed-methods study including a randomized controlled trial andindepth interviews in two EDs in northern Florida. Participants were chronically ill older EDpatients with limited health literacy and Medicare as a payer source. Patients were assignedto an evidencebased coaching intervention (n= 35) or usual post-ED care (n= 34). Qualitativeinterviews …

Spontaneous Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Describing The Diagnostic Accuracy Of History, Physical Examination, Imaging, And Lumbar Puncture With An Exploration Of Test Thresholds., Christopher R Carpenter, Adnan M Hussain, Michael J Ward, Gregory J Zipfel, Susan Fowler, Jesse M Pines, Marco L A Sivilotti

Emergency Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a rare, but serious etiology of headache. The diagnosis of SAH is especially challenging in alert, neurologically intact patients, as missed or delayed diagnosis can be catastrophic.

OBJECTIVES: The objective was to perform a diagnostic accuracy systematic review and meta-analysis of history, physical examination, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tests, computed tomography (CT), and clinical decision rules for spontaneous SAH. A secondary objective was to delineate probability of disease thresholds for imaging and lumbar puncture (LP).

METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and research meeting abstracts were searched up to June 2015 for studies of emergency department patients …

Webpoisoncontrol: Can Poison Control Be Automated?, Toby Litovitz, Blaine E Benson, Susan Smolinske

Emergency Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: A free webPOISONCONTROL app allows the public to determine the appropriate triage of poison ingestions without calling poison control. If accepted and safe, this alternative expands access to reliable poison control services to those who prefer the Internet over the telephone. This study assesses feasibility, safety, and user-acceptance of automated online triage of asymptomatic, nonsuicidal poison ingestion cases.

METHODS: The user provides substance name, amount, age, and weight in an automated online tool or downloadable app, and is given a specific triage recommendation to stay home, go to the emergency department, or call poison control for further guidance. Safety …

Traumatic Posterior Tibial Pseudoaneursym: A Rare Late Complication Repaired Conventionally, Farzad Amiri, Md, Zachary Sanford, Constantinous Constantinou, Md

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Posterior tibial artery pseudoaneurysms are extremely rare. They commonly present as a late complication of trauma or iatrogenic injury. Diagnosis can be elusive. Treatment has been described in the context of open primary repair, endovascular stenting, and coil embolization. There has been increasing interest in the use of endovascular treatment options for this type of injury. If left untreated, pseudoaneurysms can rupture, partially thrombose, expand and cause adjacent local compression and compartment syndrome. The following case presented is of a young gentleman with a posterior tibial pseudoaneurysm incidentally discovered after stepping on glass and the management of his posterior tibial …