Retained Bullets After Firearm Injury: A Survey on Surgeon Practice Patterns

Retained bullets are common after firearm injuries, yet their management remains poorly defined. Surgeon members of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma ( N = 427) were surveyed using an anonymous, web-based questionnaire during Spring 2016. Indications for bullet removal and practice patterns surrounding this theme were queried. Also, habits around screening and diagnosing psychological illness in victims of firearm injury were asked. Most respondents were male (76.5%, n = 327) and practiced at urban (84.3%, n = 360), academic (88.3%, n = 377), Level 1 trauma centers (72.8%, n = 311). Only 14.5% ( n = 62) of surgeons had institutional policies for bullet removal and 5.6% ( n = 24) were likely to remove bullets. Half of the surgeons (52.0%, n = 222) preferred to remove bullets after the index hospitalization and pain (88.1%, n = 376) and a palpable bullet (71.2%, n = 304) were the most frequent indications for removal. Having the opportunity to follow-up with patients to discuss bullet removal was significantly predictive of removal (odds ratio (OR) = 2.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) = [1.05, 4.85], p = .04). Furthermore, routinely asking about retained bullets during outpatient follow-up was predictive of new psychological illness screening (OR = 1.94, 95% CI [1.19, 3.16], p = .01) and diagnosis (OR = 1.86, 95% CI = [1.12, 3.09], p = .02) in victims of firearm injury. Thus, surgeons should be encouraged to allot time for patients concerning retained bullet management so that a shared decision can be reached.

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Inferior Vena Cava Filters in Trauma Patients: A National Practice Patterns Survey of U.S. Trauma Centers

The American Surgeon ◽

10.1177/000313481408001226 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 80 (12) ◽

pp. 1237-1244 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Anita Rajasekhar ◽

Hany Elmariah ◽

Lawrence Lottenberg ◽

Rebecca Beyth ◽

Richard Lottenberg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Practice ◽

Inferior Vena ◽

Practice Patterns ◽

Vena Cava ◽

Trauma Patients ◽

Trauma Centers ◽

Inferior Vena Cava Filters ◽

Vena Cava Filters ◽

Pharmacologic Prophylaxis

Inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) for thromboprophylaxis in trauma patients are being increasingly used despite a lack of strong clinical data in support of their efficacy and conflicting clinical practice guidelines. This national survey elucidates practice patterns of IVCF use across U.S. trauma centers. A web-based survey was administered to members of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma between September 2011 and October 2011. The survey queried: 1) background and professional practice; 2) trauma patient population; 3) IVCF placement; 4) IVCF retrieval and follow-up; and 5) pharmacologic prophylaxis. Two hundred eighty-one of 1059 eligible providers completed the survey (27%). Respondents were from a wide spectrum of training backgrounds and clinical practice settings. IVCFs were used by 98.9 per cent of respondents. IVCFs in patients without known venous thromboembolism were considered by 93.2 per cent of respondents. Indications and timing of IVCF retrieval vary. Follow-up care of patients with IVCFs was not uniform. An IVCF registry was maintained by 38 per cent of trauma programs. Adjunctive pharmacologic prophylaxis was used by 96.8 per cent of respondents. This study elucidates the gaps and variations in contemporary practices of IVCF use in trauma patients. Identification of best practices in IVCF use and retrieval awaits well-designed comparative effectiveness studies.

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Effect of Increasing Levels of Web-Based Behavioral Support on Changes in Physical Activity, Diet, and Symptoms in Men With Prostate Cancer: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.11257 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Kerri M Winters-Stone ◽

Stacey A Kenfield ◽

Erin L Van Blarigan ◽

Esther L Moe ◽

Justin W Ramsdill ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Prostate Cancer ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Behavioral Support ◽

Web Based ◽

Prostate Cancer Survivors ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Level 1

BACKGROUND More than 3.1 million men in the United States are prostate cancer survivors. These men may improve their physical function, quality of life, and potentially their prognosis by adopting healthier lifestyle habits. The internet provides a scalable mechanism to deliver advice and support about improving physical activity and dietary habits, but the feasibility and acceptability of a Web-based lifestyle intervention and the dose of support necessary to improve health behaviors are not yet known. OBJECTIVES The Community of Wellness is a Web-based intervention focused on supporting exercise and healthy dietary practices for men with prostate cancer. The objectives of this study were to determine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of the Community of Wellness Web portal among prostate cancer survivors by conducting a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing 4 levels of additive Web-based content and interaction with participants: Level 1 (Teaching; Control), Level 2 (Teaching + Tailoring), Level 3 (Teaching + Tailoring + Technology), and Level 4 (Teaching + Tailoring + Technology + Touch). METHODS This is a single-blinded RCT comparing 3 levels of behavioral support within the Community of Wellness Web portal intervention (Levels 2 to 4) with each other and with the control condition (Level 1). The control condition receives general static Web-based educational information only on physical activity and dietary habits, self-efficacy for behavior change, motivation for physical activity, and changes in anxiety and treatment-related side effects. We will enroll and randomize 200 men with prostate cancer equally to 4 levels of the Community of Wellness Web-based intervention for 3 months (50 men per level). Surveys will be completed by self-report at baseline, 3 months (immediately postintervention), and 6 months (3 months postintervention). Feasibility and acceptability will be assessed by enrollment statistics, Web-based usage metrics, and surveys at the 3-month time point. We will also conduct focus groups after the postintervention follow-up assessment in a sample of enrolled participants to evaluate elements of usability and acceptability that cannot be obtained via surveys. RESULTS Enrollment is ongoing, with 124 enrolled. Study completion (6-month follow-up) is expected by July 2019. CONCLUSIONS The goal of the study is to identify the level of support that is feasible, acceptable, promotes behavior change, and improves health in men with prostate cancer to inform future efforts to scale the program for broader reach. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03406013; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03406013 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/73YpDIoTX). INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPOR PRR1-10.2196/11257

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Preferences and Trends in Practices Caring Premature Infants for Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP): A Web-based Survey

Current Trends in Ophthalmology ◽

10.18314/ctoy.v1i1.1247 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 49-61

Author(s):

Swati Agarwal-Sinha ◽

Sarina Amin ◽

Amanda Way

Keyword(s):

Premature Infants ◽

Retinopathy Of Prematurity ◽

Laser Photocoagulation ◽

Practice Patterns ◽

Treatment Preferences ◽

Web Survey ◽

Web Based ◽

Type 1 Rop

Objectives: To study preferences in treatment, follow-up and conclusion of examination in infants treated with and without bevacizumab (IVB) and/or laser photocoagulation for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).Methods: A 22 question web survey was administered to physicians to understand practice patterns for treatment of type1 ROP, determine timeframe of conclusion of examinations with and without IVB/laser, and to approximate incidence of ROP recurrence post-treatment.Results: The survey revealed that 73% pediatric ophthalmologists reported not personally performing injections and 54.1% reported not performing laser. In infants with persistent avascular retina without pre-threshold disease, 54.2% continued examination > 50 weeks PMA, 23.3% discontinued at 50 weeks PMA, 3.2% preferred prophylactic laser and 5.1% fluorescein angiography and laser prior to concluding exams. 46.3% of physicians preferred IVB as primary monotherapy, 37.3% laser, and 16.4% both IVB and laser in type 1 ROP. Of those who preferred IVB, 20.4% concluded examination at ? 55 weeks PMA, whereas 79.6% continued evaluation >55 weeks PMA (60 to ? 80 weeks). Of those who preferred both IVB and laser, 50.6% concluded examination at ? 50 weeks PMA, whereas 49.4% continued > 50 weeks (60 to ? 80 weeks). 21.1 % of respondents reported recurrence with IVB and 8.8% with dual therapyConclusions: Treatment preferences and conclusion of examination in ROP varies considerably without and with treatment. Though a longer follow-up is recommended with IVB, this survey reveals extended examinations beyond 50 weeks PMA in infants with persistent avascular retina requiring no treatment and in the laser treated subgroup. The survey highlights low rates of performing treatments personally by pediatric ophthalmologists, and distinctlyvariable practice patterns in ROP care

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Recovery of Pediatric Patients After Firearm Injury: Can Health Systems Do More?

The American Surgeon ◽

10.1177/00031348211024227 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 000313482110242

Author(s):

Rachel M. Borthwell ◽

Samuel Olanrewaju ◽

Brant A. Putnam ◽

Dennis Y. Kim ◽

Vincent E. Chong

Keyword(s):

Health Systems ◽

Pediatric Patients ◽

The United States ◽

Outpatient Services ◽

Structural Determinants ◽

Post Injury ◽

Firearm Injury ◽

Firearm Injuries ◽

Biopsychosocial Assessment

Background Firearm injuries are the second leading cause of death among youth in the United States. Nonfatal firearm injuries far outnumber fatalities, yet data detailing the recovery and post-injury needs of pediatric patients after hospital discharge are limited. This study evaluated health system support of pediatric patients after firearm injury, from acute hospitalization to outpatient follow-up. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients <18 years who presented to an urban level 1 trauma center between 2014 and 2019. Cases were categorized as accidental or intentional (stratified as assault-related or “crossfire” injuries). Outcomes included biopsychosocial assessment (BA) utilization, trauma psychology service consultation, and linkage to outpatient services. Results Among 115 patients, 94% were victims of community violence. Black (50%) and Latinx (44%) patients were disproportionately affected, as were males aged 15-16 years (71%). Overall mortality was 8%. Biopsychosocial assessment and trauma psychology consultations occurred in 43% and 20% of cases, respectively. Of eligible patients, 71% received referral to post-hospitalization support services. The most commonly identified needs were counseling, gang intervention, and help with the carceral system. Conclusion Health systems should support long-term recovery of pediatric patients after firearm injury, particularly addressing social and structural determinants of health. Inpatient-to-outpatient linkages should be strengthened, and prospective follow-up is needed.

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Action required: Web-based personnel surveys and the importance of follow-up

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e518712013-107 ◽

2003 ◽

Author(s):

Lori Foster Thompson ◽

Eric A. Surface ◽

Don L. Martin ◽

Gary B. Barrett

Keyword(s):

Web Based

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Sacral neuromodulation implanted patients: Patient concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic and practical modifications

Therapeutic Advances in Urology ◽

10.1177/1756287221998135 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 ◽

pp. 175628722199813

Author(s):

Mai Ahmed Banakhar

Keyword(s):

Sacral Neuromodulation ◽

Arabic Language ◽

Web Based ◽

Economic Changes ◽

Continuous Care ◽

Urinary Tract Symptoms ◽

Great Solution ◽

Telephone Calls ◽

Patient Concerns

Objective: To study the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on sacral neuromodulation (SNM) implanted patients and examine patient concerns. Methodology: A web-based survey was sent to all SNM patients, including those with implants and who had a cancelled operation because of the pandemic. The survey consisted of 15 questions in Arabic language, which sought to evaluate outcomes, as well as patient concerns and preferences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: A total of 66 patients were contacted, and of which, 62 replied. Most of the patients ( n = 51; 82.3%) had the device implanted, and 11 (17.7%) patients had a postponed operation secondary to the pandemic. There were 20 males and 42 females. The mean age was 34 years ± SD 16.5 (9–62 years). Indications for sacral neuromodulation therapy were refractory overactive bladder OAB 35 (56.5%), retention 17 (27.4%), OAB + retention 3 (4.8%). When questioning the effect of the lockdown on patients, most reported no effect (43.5%), while 14.5% had some programming difficulties. The patients preferred telephone calls for device emergencies and clinic follow-up with 88.7% and 98.4%, respectively. Most patients had no concerns regarding their Interstim device during the pandemic and found it manageable; 8.1% had insurance concerns due to the economic changes. Conclusion: Patients with implanted SNM for lower urinary tract symptoms were mainly concerned with device programming. Telemedicine is a great solution for continuous care in this group.

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Development of an electronic conversation aid to support shared decision making for children with acute otitis media

JAMIA Open ◽

10.1093/jamiaopen/ooab024 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Jana L Anderson ◽

e Silva Lucas Oliveira J ◽

Juan P Brito ◽

Ian G Hargraves ◽

Erik P Hess

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Shared Decision Making ◽

Otitis Media ◽

Acute Otitis Media ◽

Medical Knowledge ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Shared Decision ◽

Web Based ◽

Quality Issue ◽

The Impact

Abstract Objective The overuse of antibiotics for acute otitis media (AOM) in children is a healthcare quality issue in part arising from conflicting parent and physician understanding of the risks and benefits of antibiotics for AOM. Our objective was to develop a conversation aid that supports shared decision making (SDM) with parents of children who are diagnosed with non-severe AOM in the acute care setting. Materials and Methods We developed a web-based encounter tool following a human-centered design approach that includes active collaboration with parents, clinicians, and designers using literature review, observations of clinical encounters, parental and clinician surveys, and interviews. Insights from these processes informed the iterative creation of prototypes that were reviewed and field-tested in patient encounters. Results The ear pain conversation aid includes five sections: (1) A home page that opens the discussion on the etiologies of AOM; (2) the various options available for AOM management; (3) a pictograph of the impact of antibiotic therapy on pain control; (4) a pictograph of complication rates with and without antibiotics; and (5) a summary page on management choices. This open-access, web-based tool is located at www.earpaindecisionaid.org. Conclusions We collaboratively developed an evidence-based conversation aid to facilitate SDM for AOM. This decision aid has the potential to improve parental medical knowledge of AOM, physician/parent communication, and possibly decrease the overuse of antibiotics for this condition.

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Identifying trauma patients with benefit from direct transportation to Level-1 trauma centers

BMC Emergency Medicine ◽

10.1186/s12873-021-00487-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Charlie A. Sewalt ◽

Benjamin Y. Gravesteijn ◽

Daan Nieboer ◽

Ewout W. Steyerberg ◽

Dennis Den Hartog ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Trauma Center ◽

Trauma Patients ◽

Trauma Centers ◽

Absolute Benefit ◽

Predicted Probability ◽

Prehospital Triage ◽

Level 1 ◽

Level 1 Trauma Center ◽

Level 2

Abstract Background Prehospital triage protocols typically try to select patients with Injury Severity Score (ISS) above 15 for direct transportation to a Level-1 trauma center. However, ISS does not necessarily discriminate between patients who benefit from immediate care at Level-1 trauma centers. The aim of this study was to assess which patients benefit from direct transportation to Level-1 trauma centers. Methods We used the American National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB), a retrospective observational cohort. All adult patients (ISS > 3) between 2015 and 2016 were included. Patients who were self-presenting or had isolated limb injury were excluded. We used logistic regression to assess the association of direct transportation to Level-1 trauma centers with in-hospital mortality adjusted for clinically relevant confounders. We used this model to define benefit as predicted probability of mortality associated with transportation to a non-Level-1 trauma center minus predicted probability associated with transportation to a Level-1 trauma center. We used a threshold of 1% as absolute benefit. Potential interaction terms with transportation to Level-1 trauma centers were included in a penalized logistic regression model to study which patients benefit. Results We included 388,845 trauma patients from 232 Level-1 centers and 429 Level-2/3 centers. A small beneficial effect was found for direct transportation to Level-1 trauma centers (adjusted Odds Ratio: 0.96, 95% Confidence Interval: 0.92–0.99) which disappeared when comparing Level-1 and 2 versus Level-3 trauma centers. In the risk approach, predicted benefit ranged between 0 and 1%. When allowing for interactions, 7% of the patients (n = 27,753) had more than 1% absolute benefit from direct transportation to Level-1 trauma centers. These patients had higher AIS Head and Thorax scores, lower GCS and lower SBP. A quarter of the patients with ISS > 15 were predicted to benefit from transportation to Level-1 centers (n = 26,522, 22%). Conclusions Benefit of transportation to a Level-1 trauma centers is quite heterogeneous across patients and the difference between Level-1 and Level-2 trauma centers is small. In particular, patients with head injury and signs of shock may benefit from care in a Level-1 trauma center. Future prehospital triage models should incorporate more complete risk profiles.

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Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the ability of level 1 trauma centers to meet American College of Surgeons research requirements

Trauma Surgery & Acute Care Open ◽

10.1136/tsaco-2021-000692 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. e000692

Author(s):

Robert M Madayag ◽

Erica Sercy ◽

Gina M Berg ◽

Kaysie L Banton ◽

Matthew Carrick ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Trauma Centers ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

American College Of Surgeons ◽

The Usa ◽

Virus Exposure ◽

Level 1 ◽

Verification Process ◽

Question Survey

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has had major effects on hospitals’ ability to perform scientific research while providing patient care and minimizing virus exposure and spread. Many non-COVID-19 research has been halted, and funding has been diverted to COVID-19 research and away from other areas.MethodsA 28-question survey was administered to all level 1 trauma centers in the USA that included questions about how the pandemic affected the trauma centers’ ability to fulfill the volume and research requirements of level 1 verification by the American College of Surgeons (ACS).ResultsThe survey had a 29% response rate (40/137 successful invitations). Over half of respondents (52%) reported reduced trauma admissions during the pandemic, and 7% reported that their admissions dropped below the volume required for level 1 verification. Many centers diverted resources from research during the pandemic (44%), halted ongoing consenting studies (33%), and had difficulty fulfilling research requirements because of competing clinical priorities (40%).DiscussionResults of this study show a need for flexibility in the ACS verification process during the COVID-19 pandemic, potentially including reduction of the required admissions and/or research publication volumes.Level of evidenceLevel IV, cross-sectional study.

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Efforts to Improve Appropriate Trauma Activation for Patients Transferred to a Level 1 Trauma Center From Outside Hospitals

The American Surgeon ◽

10.1177/0003134820919732 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 86 (5) ◽

pp. 467-475

Author(s):

Sara Seegert ◽

Roberta E. Redfern ◽

Bethany Chapman ◽

Daniel Benson

Keyword(s):

Injury Severity ◽

Trauma Centers ◽

Activation Level ◽

American College Of Surgeons ◽

Before And After ◽

Trauma Response ◽

Level 1 ◽

Transferred Patients ◽

Trauma Activation ◽

Level 1 Trauma Center

Trauma centers monitor under- and overtriage rates to comply with American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma verification requirements. Efforts to maintain acceptable rates are often undertaken as part of quality assurance. The purpose of this project was to improve the institutional undertriage rate by focusing on appropriately triaging patients transferred from outside hospitals (OSHs). Trauma physicians received education and pocket cards outlining injury severity score (ISS) calculation to aid in prospectively estimating ISS for patients transferred from OSHs, and activate the trauma response expected for that score. Under- and overtriage rates before and after the intervention were compared. The postintervention period saw a significant decrease in overall overtriage rate, with simultaneous trend toward lower overall undertriage rate, attributable to the significant reduction in undertriage rate of patients transferred from OSHs. Prospectively estimating ISS to assist in determining trauma activation level shows promise in managing appropriate patient triage. However, questions arose regarding the necessity for full trauma activation for transferred patients, regardless of ISS. It may be necessary to reconsider how patients transferred from OSHs are evaluated. Full trauma activation can be a financial and resource burden, and should not be taken lightly.

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