Pediatric Equestrian Injuries: Assessing The Impact of Helmet Use

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 95 (4) ◽  
pp. 487-489
Author(s):  
G. Randall Bond ◽  
Richard A. Christoph ◽  
Bradley M. Rodgers

Objective. To assess the impact of helmet use on the pattern, and severity of pediatric equestrian injuries. Design. A prospective observational study of all children less than 15 years of age who were brought to the University of Virginia children's Emergency Department with horse-related injuries. Results. During the two-year period of the study, 32 children were evaluated. Two children were injured when a horse stepped on them. Thirty children fell from or were thrown from a horse. Of these, 20 were wearing a helmet. Head injuries were more frequent in those patients not wearing helmets. The mean Modified Injury Severity Scale (MISS) score for riders without a helmet (12.9) was significantly higher (more severe) than that for helmeted riders (2.8). All three patients with a Glascow Coma Score <15 on arrival were not wearing a helmet at the time of injury. The frequency of hospitalization was significantly higher for those not wearing a helmet. Compared with other common mechanisms of childhood injury the mean Modified Injury Severity Scale score of injured riders was exceeded only by that of pedestrians struck by a car. Conclusion. Equestrian injuries are more severe than those suffered from other common pediatric mechanisms. Helmet use is associated with decreased frequency and severity of central nervous system injury.

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yafit Hamzani ◽  
Dror Bar Hai ◽  
Nir Cohen ◽  
Michael J. Drescher ◽  
Gavriel Chaushu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Electric bikes (E-bikes) and powered scooters (P-scooters) have become increasingly popular modes of public transportation, but they have been associated with injuries of all kinds, including dental trauma. Helmet use is promoted as a means of reducing injuries in accidents involving motorized and unmotorized vehicles. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of helmet use on the number and severity of oral and maxillofacial injuries caused by E-bikes and P-scooters. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study design was used. The cohort included all patients referred to the emergency department of a tertiary medical center in 2014–2020 with oral and maxillofacial injuries involving E-bikes or P-scooters. Data were collected from the medical files on demographics, types of injuries, circumstances of occurrence, work-up, treatment, and outcome. Use of a helmet was recorded in each case. Results Of the total 1417 patients referred to the emergency department for E-bike and P-scooter-related trauma, 62 had oral and maxillofacial injuries, including 57 riders and 5 pedestrians. All had hard- or soft-tissue injuries; 20 (32.2%) had head injuries and 22 (35.5%) had dentoalveolar injuries. Eleven riders had worn a helmet at the time of injury (17.7%). Helmet use was associated with time of injury (weekday/weekend, daytime/night-time), type of motorized vehicle (E-bike or P-scooter), head injury, and number of bone fractures. Head injuries occurred more often on the weekend (57.9%) than during the week (20.9%) and were more likely to occur in riders who were not protected by a helmet (37.3% vs 18.2%). Patients who used helmets also had a lower rate of fractured bones (18.2%) and dentoalveolar injuries (23.7%) than patients who did not (68.8 and 37.3%, respectively). Interestingly, helmet use had no protective effect on soft-tissue injuries. Conclusions Helmet use by E-bike and P-scooter riders decreased the probability of head injury and of hard tissue and dentoalveolar injuries. These results may provide guidance for effective legislation and regulation of helmet use and improved treatment protocols for general and dental physicians.


CJEM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (S1) ◽  
pp. S106-S107
Author(s):  
S. Davis ◽  
J. Delaney

Introduction: This study aimed to examine difference in trauma injuries between bicycle users in winter months compared to summer months. Behavioral variables were also examined to assess seasonal variability, as well as associations with traumas. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of all bicycle related traumas presenting to a level I trauma center between the years 1998-2018. All data was collected through a standardized trauma database. Seasonal differences were examined by comparing trauma severity and behavior patterns between patients arriving in the months May-September (summer) and those arriving in November-March (winter). Outcome measures included: Injury Severity Scale, GCS, type of accident, helmet use, demographics and alcohol level. Groups were compared using t-tests and Chi-square analysis as appropriate. Results: A total of 980 bicycle related traumas were analyzed. There were a significantly greater number of injuries in the summer as compared to winter months (879 in summer vs. 101 in winter). While most injuries in both groups were rated in the severe range of the Injury Severity Scale, there were no differences in injury severity, initial GCS, deaths, or head injuries between the two seasons. There were also no differences in drug, alcohol, or helmet use. The only significant difference between seasons was that winter riders were more likely to be male. Overall, helmet use was associated with lower injury severity, less head trauma, and a higher initial GCS. Use of alcohol was associated with less likelihood of wearing a helmet. Conclusion: In conclusion, bicycle use in winter does not appear to be associated with worse outcomes than summer. Public health interventions can continue to encourage winter bicycle use, with the encouragement of helmet use and avoidance of alcohol when cycling as an important protective factor in both seasons.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leo Rendy ◽  
Heber B. Sapan ◽  
Laurens T. B. Kalesaran ◽  
Julius H. Lolombulan

Abstract: Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in patients with major trauma remains to be frequent and devastating complication during clinical course in emergency department and intensive care unit (ICU). The ability to easily and accurately identify patients at risk for MODS postinjury especially in multitrauma cases would be very valuable. This study aimed to construct an instrument for prediction of the development of MODS in adult multitrauma patients using clinical and laboratory data available in the first day at prahospital and emergency department (hospital) setting. This was a prospective study. Samples were adult multitrauma patients with Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥16, aged 16-65 years old, admitted to 4 academic Level-I trauma center from September 2014 to September 2015. Sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score was used to determine MODS during hospitalization. A risk score created from the final regression model consisted of significant variables as MODS predictor. The results showed that there were 98 multitrauma patients as samples. The mean age was 35.2 years old; mostly male (85.71%); the mean of ISS was 23.6; mostly (76.53%) were caused by blunt injury mechanism. MODS was encountered in 43 patients (43.87%). The prediction risk score consists of Revised Trauma Score (RTS) (<7.25) and serum lactate level ≥2 mmol/L. This study also verified several independent risk factors for post multitrauma MODS, such as ISS >25, presence of SIRS, shock grade 2 or more, and white blood cell count >12,000/mm3. Conclusion: We derived a novel, simple, and applicable instrument to predict MODS in adult following multitrauma. The use of this scoring system may allow early identification of multitrauma patients who are at risk for MODS and result in more aggressive targeted resuscitation and better referral allocation based on regional trauma system.Keywords: MODS, multitrauma, emergency department, MODS prediction scoreAbstrak: Sindrom disfungsi multi-organ (MODS) merupakan komplikasi buruk yang sering terjadi sepanjang perjalanan klinis pasien trauma mayor di Unit Gawat Darurat (UGD) maupun di ruang perawatan intensif. Suatu nilai patokan yang dapat memprediksi MODS pascatrauma secara akurat sejak dini tentunya sangat berharga bagi tatalaksana pasien terutama pada kasus multitrauma. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk membuat suatu instrumen yang dapat memrediksi perkembangan MODS pada pasien dewasa multitrauma dengan menggunakan data klinis dan laboratorium yang tersedia pada 24 jam pertama pasca trauma pada seting fase prahospital maupun di fase hospital sejak di UGD. Jenis penelitian ini prospektif, mengumpulkan pasien multitrauma dengan Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥16, rentang usia 16-65 tahun, di 4 pusat trauma level-1 rumah sakit pendidikan selama 1 tahun (September 2014-2015). Dilakukan pencatatan data klinis dan laboratorium sesuai perkembangan pasien. Skor sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) digunakan untuk menentukan adanya MODS selama perawatan. Skor prediksi dibuat dengan membangun model regresi logistik yang signifikan untuk memrediksi terjadinya MODS pasca multitrauma. Hasil penelitian mendapatkan 98 sampel multitrauma yang memenuhi kriteria inklusi dengan rerata usia 35,2 tahun, sebagian besar laki-laki (85,71%) dengan rerata ISS 23,6, dan disebabkan oleh trauma tumpul (76,53%). MODS terjadi pada 43 pasien (43,87%). Skor prediksi terdiri dari RTS dengan (cut off point 7,25) dan kadar laktat serum (cut off point 3,44 mmol/mL). Penelitian ini juga memverifikasi beberapa faktor risiko individual terjadinya MODS pasca multitrauma yaitu ISS>25, adanya SIRS, syok derajat 2 atau lebih, dan leukositosis >12.000. Simpulan: Kami melaporkan instrumen baru yang praktis untuk memrediksi MODS pada pasien multitrauma dewasa. Skor ini memungkinkan identifikasi dini pasien trauma yang berisiko akan mengalami MODS sehingga dapat menjadi tanda alarm dilakukannya resusitasi yang lebih agresif dan tepat serta alokasi rujukan pasien yang lebih efisien berdasarkan sistem trauma regional.Kata kunci: MODS, multitrauma, UGD, skor prediksi MODS


2018 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 289-293
Author(s):  
George M. Testerman ◽  
Daniel C. Prior ◽  
Tamie D. Wells ◽  
Sarah E. Rollins ◽  
Stephen L. Oesch

All-terrain vehicle (ATV) safety laws, including helmet use, vary by state and are sporadically enforced. Kentucky state laws require safety helmets only for younger riders. We hypothesized that ATV riders injured in Kentucky and seen at a Tennessee trauma center would more likely be unhelmeted, have more severe head injuries, and have higher mortality rates than those injured in Virginia or Tennessee. A Trauma Registry review of 750 injured ATV riders from June 1, 2005, through June 1, 2015 examined state location of accident, helmet use, markers of injury severity, and outcomes. Multiple logistic regression analysis examined predictors of severe head injuries and death with P < 0.05 significant. Unhelmeted ATV rider status predicted more severe head injuries (relative risk 23.5, P < 0.001) and death (relative risk 4.6, P < 0.001). ATV riders injured in the state of Kentucky were twice as numerous. In addition, they were more likely than ATVriders injured in Tennessee or Virginia to be unhelmeted, to have severe head injuries, and to sustain fatal injuries (all P < 0.001). This single trauma center study lends support for maintaining and enforcing current universal helmet laws for ATVriders of all ages in states where they are in effect and highlights the need to upgrade helmet laws that apply only to some riders.


CJEM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (S1) ◽  
pp. S114-S115
Author(s):  
A. Albina ◽  
F. Kegel ◽  
F. Dankoff ◽  
G. Clark

Background: Emergency department (ED) overcrowding is associated with a broad spectrum of poor medical outcomes, including medical errors, mortality, higher rates of leaving without being seen, and reduced patient and physician satisfaction. The largest contributor to overcrowding is access block – the inability of admitted patients to access in-patient beds from the ED. One component to addressing access block involves streamlining the decision process to rapidly determine which hospital service will admit the patient. Aim Statement: As of Sep 2011, admission algorithms at our institution were supported and formalised. The pancreatitis algorithm clarified whether general surgery or internal medicine would admit ED patients with pancreatitis. We hypothesize that this prior uncertainty delayed the admission decision and prolonged ED length of stay (LOS) for patients with pancreatitis. Our project evaluates whether implementing a pancreatitis admission algorithm at our institution reduced ED time to disposition (TTD) and LOS. Measures & Design: A retrospective review was conducted in a tertiary care academic hospital in Montreal for all adult ED patients diagnosed with pancreatitis from Apr 2010 to Mar 2014. The data was used to plot separate run charts for ED TTD and LOS. Serial measurements of each outcome were used to monitor change and evaluate for special cause variation. The mean ED LOS and TTD before and after algorithm implementation were also compared using the Student's t test. Evaluation/Results: Over four years, a total of 365 ED patients were diagnosed with pancreatitis and 287 (79%) were admitted. The mean ED LOS for patients with pancreatitis decreased following the implementation of an admission algorithm (1616 vs. 1418 mins, p = 0.05). The mean ED TTD was also reduced (1171 vs. 899 mins, p = 0.0006). A non-random signal of change was suggested by a shift above the median prior to algorithm implementation and one below the median following. Discussion/Impact: This project demonstrates that in a busy tertiary care academic hospital, an admission algorithm helped reduce ED TTD and LOS for patients with pancreatitis. This proves especially valuable when considering the potential applicability of such algorithms to other disease processes, such as gastrointestinal bleeding and congestive heart failure, among others. Future studies demonstrating this external applicability, and the impact of such decision algorithms on physician decision fatigue and within non-academic institutions, proves warranted.


2007 ◽  
Vol 106 (5) ◽  
pp. 839-845 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Sheehan ◽  
Chun Po Yen ◽  
Yasser Arkha ◽  
David Schlesinger ◽  
Ladislau Steiner

Object Trigeminal schwannomas are rare intracranial tumors. In the past, resection and radiation therapy were the mainstays of their treatment. More recently, neurosurgeons have begun to use radiosurgery in the treatment of trigeminal schwannomas because of its successful use in the treatment of vestibular schwannomas. In this article the authors evaluate the radiological and clinical outcomes in a series of patients in whom Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) was used to treat trigeminal schwannomas. Methods Twenty-six patients with trigeminal schwannomas underwent GKS at the University of Virginia Lars Lek-sell Gamma Knife Center between 1989 and 2005. Five of these patients had neurofibromatosis and one patient was lost to follow up. The median tumor volume was 3.96 cm3, and the mean follow-up period was 48.5 months. The median prescription radiation dose was 15 Gy, and the median prescription isodose configuration was 50%. There was clinical improvement in 18 patients (72%), a stable lesion in four patients (16%), and worsening of the disease in three patients (12%). On imaging, the schwannomas shrank in 12 patients (48%), remained stable in 10 patients (40%), and increased in size in three patients (12%). These results were comparable for primary and adjuvant GKSs. No tumor growth following GKS was observed in the patients with neurofibromatosis. Conclusions Gamma Knife surgery affords a favorable risk-to-benefit profile for patients harboring trigeminal schwannomas. Larger studies with open-ended follow-up review will be necessary to determine the long-term results and complications of GKS in the treatment of trigeminal schwannomas.


2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dustin Smith ◽  
J. Wayne Burris ◽  
Guisou Mahmoud ◽  
Gregory Guldner

Abstract Background The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education requirements for systems-based practice state residents are expected to participate in identifying system errors and implementing potential systems solutions. The objective of this study was to determine the numbers of perceived errors occurring from patient pass offs between resident physicians in our emergency department. Methods Using a prospective observational study, we queried emergency medicine residents about perceived errors in the transition of care using trained research assistants and a standardized protocol. Transition of care was defined as the transfer of responsibility to evaluate and treat and disposition of a patient in the emergency department from 1 resident physician to a second oncoming emergency department resident physician. Mean resident-perceived errors per shift and per patient transfer of care were calculated. Additionally, the mean number of perceived errors impacting patients was calculated. Results Emergency medicine residents on 107 shifts reported receiving 713 patients in pass off with a mean of 7 patients per physician per shift, with 40% of patients passed off needing some intervention (mean of 2.8 patients per provider per shift). Nineteen of the 107 shifts (17.8%) during which a resident took patients from a prior provider had a perceived error in at least 1 patient signed off. Of the 713 patients transitioned, the receiving physician perceived an error related to the transition of care for 23. Two of the 23 errors were determined by reviewing emergency medicine attendings to not be errors, and for 9 the receiving physician perceived an impact on the patient. All were delays in care or disposition. Conclusion Our data suggest emergency medicine residents were able to perceive errors related to transitions of care, describe the types of pass-off errors, and, to a lesser degree, describe the impact these errors have on patients.


2005 ◽  
Vol 71 (11) ◽  
pp. 937-941 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.H. Fonseca ◽  
M.G. Ochsner ◽  
W.J. Bromberg ◽  
D. Gantt

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) have increased in popularity and sales since 1971. This rise in popularity led to an increase in injuries resulting in voluntary industry rider safety regulations in 1988, which expired without renewal in 1998. Our purpose was twofold, to determine the incidence and severity of ATV injuries in our patient population and what, if any impact the safety regulations had. To further characterize the risk of ATV use, we compared them to a vehicle generally recognized as dangerous, the motorcycle (MC). Our trauma registry was reviewed from January 1998 through August 2004 for ATV or MC injured. Data collected included age, gender, mortality, Injury Severity Score (ISS), helmet use, and injury distribution. These were compared to our data from the decade of regulation. There were 352 MC and 221 ATV patients. ATV injured demonstrated a higher proportion of pediatric and female patients ( P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively), a decrease in helmet use (8.6% vs 64.7%, P < 0.001), and increased closed head injuries (CHI) (54.2% vs 44.9%, P < 0.05) compared with MC injured. ISS and mortality were similar. The average number of patients from 1988 to 1998 was 6.9/yr compared to 31.6/yr ( P < 0.001) during 1998–2004 with equal ISS. Our data show that there has been a dramatic and progressive increase in the number of ATV crashes since expiration of industry regulations. ATVs are as dangerous as MCs based on patient ISS and mortality. There are significantly more children and women injured on ATVs. The lower rate of helmet use in ATVs may account for the significantly greater incidence of CHI. These data mandate the need for injury prevention efforts for ATV riders, in particular children, through increased public awareness and new legislation.


QJM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Jusmanova ◽  
C Rice ◽  
R Bourke ◽  
A Lavan ◽  
C G McMahon ◽  
...  

Summary Background Up to half of patients presenting with falls, syncope or dizziness are admitted to hospital. Many are discharged without a clear diagnosis for their index episode, however, and therefore a relatively high risk of readmission. Aim To examine the impact of ED-FASS (Emergency Department Falls and Syncope Service) a dedicated specialist service embedded within an ED, seeing patients of all ages with falls, syncope and dizziness. Design Pre- and post-cohort study. Methods Admission rates, length of stay (LOS) and readmission at 3 months were examined for all patients presenting with a fall, syncope or dizziness from April to July 2018 (pre-ED-FASS) inclusive and compared to April to July 2019 inclusive (post-ED-FASS). Results There was a significantly lower admission rate for patients presenting in 2019 compared to 2018 [27% (453/1676) vs. 34% (548/1620); X2 = 18.0; P &lt; 0.001], with a 20% reduction in admissions. The mean LOS for patients admitted in 2018 was 20.7 [95% confidence interval (CI) 17.4–24.0] days compared to 18.2 (95% CI 14.6–21.9) days in 2019 (t = 0.98; P = 0.3294). This accounts for 11 344 bed days in the 2018 study period, and 8299 bed days used after ED-FASS. There was also a significant reduction in readmission rates within 3 months of index presentation, from 21% (109/1620) to 16% (68/1676) (X2 = 4.68; P = 0.030). Conclusion This study highlights the significant potential benefits of embedding dedicated multidisciplinary services at the hospital front door in terms of early specialist assessment and directing appropriate patients to effective ambulatory care pathways.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document