Pediatric button battery ingestion: A single center experience and risk score to predict severe outcomes

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to analyze the management and outcomes of primary button battery ingestions and their sequelae at a single high-volume center, and to propose a risk score to predict the likelihood of a severe outcome.MethodsThe medical record was queried for all patients under 21 years old evaluated at our institution for button battery ingestion from 2008 to 2021. A severe outcome was defined as having at least one of the following: deep/circumferential mucosal erosion, perforation, mediastinitis, vascular or airway injury/fistula, or development of esophageal stricture. From a selection of clinically relevant factors, logistic regression determined predictors of a severe outcome, which were incorporated into a risk model.Results143 patients evaluated for button battery ingestion were analyzed. 24 (17%) had a severe outcome. The independent predictors of a severe outcome in multivariate analysis were location of battery in the esophagus on imaging (96%), battery size >/ = 2 cm (95%), and presence of any symptoms on presentation (96%), with P < 0.001 in all cases. Predicted probability of a severe outcome ranged from 88% when all three risk factors were observed, to 0.3% when none were present.ConclusionWe report the presentation, management, and complication profiles of a large cohort of BB ingestions treated at a single institution. A risk score to predict severe outcomes may be used by providers initially evaluating patients with button battery ingestion in order to allocate resources and expedite transfer to a center with pediatric endoscopic and surgical capabilities.Level of evidenceLevel IV.Type of studyClinical Research Paper.     

Development of a trail running injury screening instrument: A multiple methods approach

ObjectiveTo develop a trail running injury screening instrument (TRISI) for utilisation as clinical decision aid in determining if a trail runner is at an increased risk for injury.DesignMultiple methods approach.MethodsThe study utilised five phases 1) identification of injury risk factors 2) determining the relevance of each identified risk factor in a trail running context, 3) creating the content of the Likert scale points from 0 to 4, 4) rescaling the Likert scale points to determine numerical values for the content of each Likert scale point, and 5) determining a weighted score for each injury risk factor that contributes to the overall combined composite score.ResultsOf the 77 identified injury risk factors, 26 were deemed relevant in trail running. The weighted score for each injury risk factor ranged from 2.21 to 5.53 with the highest calculated score being 5.53. The final TRISI includes risk categories of training, running equipment, demographics, previous injury, behavioural, psychological, nutrition, chronic disease, physiological, and biomechanical factors.ConclusionThe developed TRISI aims to assist the clinician during pre-race injury screening or during a training season to identify meaningful areas to target in designing injury risk management strategies and/or continuous health education.     

Foreign body granuloma around implantable pulse generator for deep brain stimulation: Two case reports

We report two cases of granuloma that occurred around an implantable pulse generator (IPG) for deep brain stimulation. Both cases showed no signs of infection and disappeared after moving the IPG and removing the granulation. If a noninfectious mass is formed, the relocation of IPG may improve it.     

Non intentional burns in children: Analyzing prevention and acute treatment in a highly developed country

The objective of this study was to evaluate where and when pediatric burn injuries occurred. Furthermore the quality of first aid treatment, ratio of skin grafting and length of hospital stay were evaluated.The patient records of 749 children with acute burns admitted to the University Children’s Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland, were retrospectively reviewed over an 11-year period.Burn injuries in children with an immigrant background were overrepresented in our study population, whereby the proportion of immigrants decreased with rising age.Sixty-five percent of all patients received some form of first aid. Of those 4.5% did not comply with the current guidelines. Furthermore initial assessment of total body surface area (TBSA) by the first line physician was overestimated in 76% of cases.Flame injuries occurred mainly in summertime in outdoor settings and needed significant more often skin grafts than scalds, which mainly occurred indoors and in wintertime. As a result, patients with flame injuries had to stay significantly longer in hospital (flames: 21 days (range: 1–259 days; median: 30; interquartile range (IQR): 30) versus scalds: 7 days (range: 1–130 days; median: 7; IQR: 12); p < 0.001). Furthermore high voltage injuries often resulted in lower-leg amputations (n = 3; 43%).Based on these facts, targets for the improvement of a prevention campaign and the treatment for burned children were named.     

First aid is associated with improved outcomes in large body surface area burns

BackgroundAnimal studies indicate treating burn injuries with running water (first aid) for 20 min up to 3 h after burn reduces healing time and scarring. We have previously demonstrated the benefits of first aid in minor burn injuries with respect to a reduction in wound depth, faster healing, and decreased skin grafting utilisation. The purpose of this cohort study was to assess the effect of first aid on clinical outcomes in large body surface area burn injuries (≥20%).MethodsData was prospectively collected for patients with ≥20% TBSA burns from 2004– 2018. Multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the association of adequate first aid with 8 outcomes – mortality, total length of stay, total body surface area (TBSA), percentage/proportion of TBSA that was full thickness [PFTI], TBSA grafted, number of re-grafting sessions, intensive care admission, and intensive care length of stay. Adequate first aid was defined as the application of 20 min of cool, running tap water up to 3 h following the burn injury.Findings390 patients were identified. Adequate first aid was received in 35.6% (139) of patients. There was a trend towards a reduction in mortality (OR 0.37; 95% CI 0.12–1.13; P = 0.08). Patients who received adequate first aid had a statistically significant 9.8% reduction in TBSA (95% CI −13.6% to −6.1%; P < 0.0001) as well as a 12% lower PTFI compared to patients who received inadequate first aid (95% CI −19% to −4%; P < 0.01). Whilst there was no significant effect of adequate first aid on the TBSA grafted (P = 0.37), adequate first aid was associated with a significantly less number of re-grafting sessions (95% CI −-0.29 to −0.08; P < 0.001).InterpretationAdequate first aid with 20 min of running water is associated with improved outcomes in large burn injuries. Significant benefits are seen in a reduction in TBSA, proportion of the burn wound that is full thickness, as well as decreased re-grafting. This has significant patient and health system benefits and adds to the body of evidence supporting 20 min of cooling in burns care.     

Feasibility,acceptability, and effectiveness of a decision aid versus an informational website to promote clinical trial decision-making among cancer patients: A pilot randomized controlled trial

ObjectiveTo assess intervention feasibility and acceptability, and compare the effectiveness of the CHOICES Decision Aid (DA) versus the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cancer Clinical Trials (CCT) website to improve knowledge about CCTs and preparedness to make an informed decision.MethodsOncology patients (n = 101) with a scheduled clinic visit were enrolled and randomized. Decision-making variables were collected at two timepoints. Post-intervention scores were examined via paired t-tests and multivariate regression analyses. Predictors of the magnitudes of the change in scores were examined in multivariable regression analyses.ResultsThe interventions were feasible to implement and acceptable to participants. Both interventions increased objective and subjective knowledge, improved clarity of opinions, and reduced decisional conflict (p-values < 0.01). Improvements in the belief that one could find out about CCTs were observed in the CHOICES DA arm (p < 0.001). Multivariable analyses controlling for educational attainment showed no significant differences in the magnitude of change in outcome variables between intervention arms, but did find that improvements in some variables in the NCI arm – but not CHOICES DA arm – were associated with previous educational attainment.ConclusionsInterventions were feasible to implement and acceptable. Improvements in knowledge and decision-making outcomes were observed in both arms, supporting the view that interventions to improve CCT decision making are effective and feasible. Our results suggest that the CHOICES DA may be more effective than an informational website in improving decision-making outcomes regardless of participants’ educational attainment.Practice implicationsCCT resources should support informed decision-making among all cancer survivors, regardless of educational attainment.     

便携式核事故急救箱的研制

目的:研制一种便携式核事故急救箱,用于核事故现场伤员的自救互救。方法:核事故急救箱外形尺寸为360 mm×240 mm×150 mm,箱体采用5 mm防水板材,表面覆压花铝板,内衬木质纤维板,外层喷涂亚光漆。箱盖内侧设计自带照明装置,箱体内划分为急性放射病防治药放置专区和常规战伤急救药材放置区。急性放射病防治药放置区设计3个Φ50 mm孔洞和4个Φ30 mm孔洞,用于放置配备的抗放药品。结果:用该急救箱在核设施现场开展伤情模拟救治,能满足核事故现场伤员自救互救需求。结论:便携式核事故急救箱设计合理、标识清晰,能有效提高核事故现场伤员自救互救能力和存活率,具有较好的实用价值。     

Enhancing Patients' Wayfinding and Visitation Experience Improves Quality of Care

PurposeTo understand the impact of wayfinding challenges on patient hospital visitation experience, organizational costs, and emerging technology trends that may alleviate wayfinding challenges.DesignA review of literature on the relationship of wayfinding to patient's hospital visitation experience.MethodsA literature search identifying issues associated with wayfinding challenges in complex health care facilities was conducted. Case examples are provided to illustrate that the removal of barriers can improve the wayfinding experience. This review also informs technology trends that may effectively facilitate wayfinding in complex health care facilities.FindingsLarge hospital complexes exhibit many characteristics comparable to the physical features of a city environment. These complexities present challenges to patients to navigate to their destinations. An effective wayfinding system is a collection of tools that combines permanent signage, printed information, landmarks, architectural features and design elements, and human interactions. Navigational technology modeling holds the promise to aid patients and individuals with visual and cognitive challenges to find their way to their desired destinations effectively and efficiently, and improves their quality of life.ConclusionsImproved patient travel time correlates to reduce idled nursing time, with cost savings accrued to organization. Research shows that wayfinding mobile applications hold the promise of improving patients' hospital visitation experience.     

急诊急救护理对有机磷农药中毒患者的效果观察

目的探讨急诊急救护理对有机磷农药中毒患者的效果。方法将2016年3月-2019年3月我院收治的74例有机磷农药中毒患者按随机数字表法分为观察组(n=37)和对照组(n=37)。对照组患者给予常规的急救护理,观察组在对照组的基础上给予高效一体化急救护理。比较两组患者的洗胃时间、洗胃液体容量、胃内容物溢出率以及抢救成功率。结果观察组的洗胃时间、洗胃液体容量、胃内容物溢出率均要明显低于对照组;观察组患者抢救成功率明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论对有机磷农药中毒患者应用高效的急诊急救护理,能够明显减少患者的洗胃时间、洗胃液体容量、胃内容物溢出率,提高抢救成功率,值得临床应用。     

大剂量肾上腺素治疗急性心脏骤停的效果分析

目的分析大剂量肾上腺素在急性心脏骤停院前急救中的应用价值。方法将2018年1月-2019年10月院前急救处理的52例急性心脏骤停患者视为研究对象,根据其治疗方式划入常规组与大剂量组(n=26)。常规组使用常规剂量肾上腺素与阿托品治疗,大剂量组使用高剂量肾上腺素与阿托品联合治疗,比较患者的治疗效果。结果常规组患者的院前急救复苏成功率是57.69%,大剂量组患者的院前急救复苏成功率是84.62%,且常规组患者的自主循环恢复率、自主呼吸恢复率均低于大剂量组患者,差距比较有统计学意义(P<0.05)。常规组患者治疗后发生8例并发症,大剂量组患者治疗后出现2例并发症(P<0.05)。结论大剂量肾上腺素在急性心脏骤停院前急救中的使用,可提升患者的复苏成功率,恢复患者的自主呼吸、循环能力,降低患者并发症发生率。