Risk factors associated with post-intensive care syndrome in family members (PICS-F): A prospective observational study.

Background: The family members of intensive care unit (ICU) patients play a crucial role in modern ICUs. These individuals are predisposed to the development of post-intensive care syndrome in family members (PICS-F), a syndrome experienced by family members of ICU patients in response to critical illness and characterised by new or worsening psychological symptoms. This study sought to evaluate the levels of anxiety and depression exhibited by the family members of patients hospitalised in the ICU. It also aimed to identify the risk factors associated with the experience of PICS-F, which should assist with its prevention in the future. Methods: The study sample comprised 164 ICU patients and their family members. Sociodemographic data were gathered at the time of ICU admission and 3 months after discharge, and the family members were screened for emotional distress using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Comparison tests were used to test for an association between family/patient characteristics and a positive HADS score. In addition, a multivariable logistic regression model was constructed to identify the independent factors associated with a positive HADS score. Results: Emotional distress was identified in 24% of the family members 3 months after their relatives had been discharged from the ICU. A number of personal traits were found to be associated with emotional distress in the family members, namely unemployment (p = .008), smoking/drinking habits (p = .036) and personal history of psychopathology (p = .045). In the multiple logistic regression analyses, only unemployment was found to be an independent factor associated with both anxiety and depression in the family members (OR = 2.74, CI 95%: 1.09-6.93). No association was found between the patients' characteristics and emotional distress in the family members. Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate an association between emotional distress in the family members of ICU patients and their personal traits, thereby building on the prior literature by suggesting that patient characteristics are less pertinent to the experience of PICS-F. Unemployment may represent a meaningful risk factor for emotional distress in family members (a potential marker of PICS-F), given its relationship with family members' positive HADS scores post-ICU discharge. These findings should influence preventative strategies concerning PICS-F by illustrating the need to assess family characteristics and demographics early in a patient's ICU stay and, consequently, allowing for the early identification of at-risk individuals and the prompt implementation of adequate support services.

Self-Poisoning With Household Bleach in an Elderly Man.

Caustic self-poisoning is a major health hazard, which affects any age, but is particularly serious among the elderly. Household bleach is a caustic that contains 3% to 6% sodium hypochlorite solution, one of the most common agents in unintentional caustic poisoning. In this clinical case, we present a household bleach self-poisoning by an older man with no relevant medical history. He presented with extensive burns on the oral cavity mucosa and tongue, requiring orotracheal intubation by video laryngoscopy. He was then admitted to the intensive care unit, where he evolved poorly. Given the poor prognosis and the lack of physiological reserve for the invasiveness required for a surgical approach, a conservative strategy was chosen after a multidisciplinary team discussion. With the conservative strategy, the patient survived, being discharged to the general ward after one month, where he underwent a Stamm gastrostomy and placement of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. In the follow-up consultation three months later, the patient was found to be weakened, with high frailty status, presenting anxiety, depression, and causing high family burden.

Family Satisfaction in Intensive Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic Using the FS-ICU24 Questionnaire.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic caused an abrupt change in the pattern of communication involving patients, family members, and healthcare professionals. This study aimed to evaluate family member satisfaction with intensive care units (ICU) care and communication strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Secondary objectives included identification of areas requiring improvement, and assessment of the impact of both COVID-19 diagnosis and in-person visits on overall satisfaction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective, observational single-center study was conducted among family members of ICU patients admitted between March and September 2020. During this period, ICU visiting policies suffered changes, ranging from full restrictions to eased limitations, which impacted ICU communication procedures and patient contact with family members. Three months after ICU discharge, the designated family members of patients were contacted and invited to fill in a questionnaire that assessed family satisfaction using a Likert response scale. RESULTS: There was a total of 168 family members contacted (response rate of 57.7%). Most participants were globally satisfied with the care provided by the ICU staff and, apart from communication between nurses and family members, all other questions scored a satisfaction rate above 80%. The study found a statistically significant association between satisfaction and the consistency of clinical information provided and the possibility of having visits (p = 0.046). The odds ratio of being satisfied with information consistency was found to be 0.22 times lower in family members that were able to visit the patient in the ICU during the COVID-19 pandemic [OR = 0.22 (95% CI: 0.054 - 0.896)] compared with families that were unable to presential visit their family member. No statistically significant differences were found in the satisfaction rates between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 admissions. CONCLUSION: This is one of the first studies to assess satisfaction among family members of ICU patients during COVID-19 restrictions and the first, as far as we know, performed in the Portuguese population. The overall satisfaction levels were similar to the estimates found in previous studies. A lower degree of satisfaction with information consistency was found in family members who had in-person visits, possibly related with heterogeneity of senior doctors delivering information. COVID-19 diagnosis was not associated with decreased satisfaction.

Introdução: A pandemia de COVID-19 impôs alterações no padrão de comunicação entre doentes, familiares e profissionais. Os objectivos deste estudo foram avaliar a satisfação dos familiares com os cuidados prestados pelas unidades de cuidados intensivos e as estratégias comunicacionais durante a pandemia de COVID-19. Os objectivos secundários incluíram a identificação de áreas de melhoria e a avaliação do impacto do diagnóstico de COVID-19 e das visitas presenciais na satisfação global. Material e Métodos: Estudo prospetivo, observacional e unicêntrico que avaliou os familiares de doentes em unidades de cuidados intensivos admitidos de março a setembro de 2020. Neste período, ocorreram alterações na política de visitas, que alternaram entre restrições totais e permissão de visitas restritas; estas modificações impuseram alterações na política de comunicação e no contacto dos doentes com os seus familiares. Aos três meses após alta da unidade de cuidados intensivos, o familiar de referência foi contactado para preencher um questionário que avaliou a sua satisfação através de uma escala de Likert. Resultados: Cento e sessenta e oito familiares foram contactados (taxa de resposta de 57,7%). A maioria dos participantes estava globalmente satisfeita com os cuidados prestados e a generalidade das questões apresentava uma taxa de satisfação superior a 80%. Uma associação com significado estatístico foi encontrada entre a consistência da informação clínica e a possibilidade de visitas presenciais (p = 0,046). O odds ratio de satisfação foi 0,2 vezes menor em familiares que puderam visitar o doente durante a pandemia COVID-19 [OR = 0,22 (95% CI: 0,054 ­ 0,896)] em comparação com familiares cuja visita presencial não foi possível. O diagnóstico de COVID-19 não apresentou impacto na satisfação dos familiares. Conclusão: Este é um dos primeiros estudos a avaliar a satisfação de familiares de doentes internados em unidades de cuidados intensivos durante a pandemia de COVID-19 e é, tanto quanto é do nosso conhecimento, o primeiro realizado numa população portuguesa. A satisfação global é semelhante a estudos prévios publicados. O menor grau de satisfação com a consistência da informação em familiares que fizeram visitas aos doentes pode estar relacionado com heterogeneidade no estilo de comunicação entre os médicos seniores da unidade de cuidados intensivos. O diagnóstico de COVID-19 não esteve associado a uma redução na satisfação global dos familiares.

Super-refractory status epilepticus and ketogenic diet in intensive care: a series report. / Estado epiléptico super-refratário e dieta cetogênica na unidade de terapia intensiva: relato de uma série de casos.

Super-refractory status epilepticus is defined as seizures that persist or reemerge in the setting of an intravenous anesthetic infusion for more than 24 hours. In recent years, attention has been driven to the potential benefits of a ketogenic diet in the management of these patients. However, the specific role of this strategy in the adult population, as well as its underlying mechanism of action and optimal time for the initiation and management of complications, remain widely debatable. We report a case series of three patients admitted to an intensive care unit due to super-refractory status epilepticus who were managed with a ketogenic diet and propose a clinical approach to its initiation, transition, and management of clinical intercurrences.

Define-se estado epiléptico super-refratário como ocorrência de crises epilépticas persistentes ou que ressurgem em condições de infusão endovenosa de anestésicos por mais de 24 horas. Nos últimos anos, chamou-se a atenção para os potenciais benefícios de uma dieta cetogênica para o controle de tais pacientes. Contudo, o papel específico dessa estratégia na população adulta, assim como o mecanismo de ação, a melhor ocasião para iniciar e o manejo das complicações, permanece como assunto amplamente debatível. Relatamos uma série de casos com três pacientes que foram internados em unidade de terapia intensiva em razão de estado epiléptico super-refratário e tratados com utilização de dieta cetogênica; também propomos uma abordagem clínica para início, transição e manejo das intercorrências clínicas desta intervenção.

Estado epiléptico super-refratário e dieta cetogênica na unidade de terapia intensiva: relato de uma série de casos / Super-refractory status epilepticus and ketogenic diet in intensive care: a series report

RESUMO Define-se estado epiléptico super-refratário como ocorrência de crises epilépticas persistentes ou que ressurgem em condições de infusão endovenosa de anestésicos por mais de 24 horas. Nos últimos anos, chamou-se a atenção para os potenciais benefícios de uma dieta cetogênica para o controle de tais pacientes. Contudo, o papel específico dessa estratégia na população adulta, assim como o mecanismo de ação, a melhor ocasião para iniciar e o manejo das complicações, permanece como assunto amplamente debatível. Relatamos uma série de casos com três pacientes que foram internados em unidade de terapia intensiva em razão de estado epiléptico super-refratário e tratados com utilização de dieta cetogênica; também propomos uma abordagem clínica para início, transição e manejo das intercorrências clínicas desta intervenção.

Abstract Super-refractory status epilepticus is defined as seizures that persist or reemerge in the setting of an intravenous anesthetic infusion for more than 24 hours. In recent years, attention has been driven to the potential benefits of a ketogenic diet in the management of these patients. However, the specific role of this strategy in the adult population, as well as its underlying mechanism of action and optimal time for the initiation and management of complications, remain widely debatable. We report a case series of three patients admitted to an intensive care unit due to super-refractory status epilepticus who were managed with a ketogenic diet and propose a clinical approach to its initiation, transition, and management of clinical intercurrences.

Legionella and SARS-CoV-2 Coinfection in a Patient With Pneumonia - An Outbreak in Northern Portugal.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has plagued virtually every continent and country, and Portugal is no exception. The high number of cases has caused a major burden on health services and obvious economic consequences, forcing an important reformulation in the health sectors' organization. In the past weeks, counties in the country's northern coastal region have reported an increasing number of Legionella cases, whose origin is yet to be determined. This exacerbates the already important pressure on the region's health facilities. We present a case of a patient diagnosed with Legionella pneumonia and concomitant coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia, highlighting the need for etiological investigation not only for common community agents but also for pandemic pathogens and regional outbreaks.

A Case Report: Low Voltage Electric Injuries Culminating in Cardiac Arrest and Direct Lung Injury.

Serious electrical injuries are rare but may have life-threatening consequences. Voltage exposure injuries are divided into low voltage injury (LVI) or high voltage injury (HVI). An LVI current can result in severe injury, depending on the length of exposure, the size of the individual, the cross-sectional area in contact with the electrical source, and environmental humidity. The authors present a 31-year-old male with accidental electrocution with low voltage current and cardiopulmonary arrest. A detailed revision by organs and systems is presented. LVI is uncommon and can occur with a variety of clinical presentations, rarely presenting with direct lung injury. Early recognition and support are the cornerstones of treatment.

Avaliação da satisfação e das preferências do doente com o diário em cuidados intensivos / Assessment of patient satisfaction and preferences with an intensive care diary

RESUMO Objetivos: Avaliar a satisfação dos doentes internados em uma unidade de cuidado intensivo com o diário e analisar possíveis pontos de melhoria deste instrumento. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo observacional, decorrido entre março de 2014 e julho de 2017, em uma unidade de cuidado intensivo polivalente de um hospital distrital. Foi iniciado o diário em doentes sedados por 3 ou mais dias. Depois de 3 meses da alta, foi avaliada a satisfação deles por meio de um questionário. O doente que concordou com as cinco afirmações que visavam avaliar esclarecimento, preenchimento de lacunas de memória, ajuda na recuperação, tranquilização e recomendação da intervenção foi definido como satisfeito. Resultados: Foram incluídos 110 doentes, dos quais 55 responderam o questionário. Destes, 36 (65,5%) foram classificados como satisfeitos. Cada item teve uma resposta positiva em mais de 74% dos casos. Sugeriram o aumento do número de fotografias 60% dos participantes. Não foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significativas na análise de subgrupos (idade, sexo, tempo de sedação e ventilação, tempo de diário, gravidade à admissão, delirium, depressão ou ansiedade na unidade de cuidado intensivo). Conclusões: A maioria dos doentes mostrou-se satisfeita com o diário, sugerindo, no entanto, o aumento do número de fotografias.

ABSTRACT Objectives: To evaluate the satisfaction of patients admitted to the intensive care unit using a diary and analyze possible points for improving this instrument. Methods: This was an observational, retrospective study, conducted between March 2014 and July 2017, in a multidisciplinary intensive care unit of a district hospital. The diary was implemented in patients sedated for 3 or more days. Three months after discharge, their satisfaction was assessed using a questionnaire. A patient who agreed with the 5 statements assessing the diary's help in clarifying the intensive care unit stay, in filling memory gaps, in recovery, in reassurance, and in the recommendation of this intervention was defined as satisfied. Results: A total of 110 patients were included, of whom 55 answered the questionnaire. Of these, 36 (65.5%) were classified as satisfied. Each item had a positive response in more than 74% of cases. A total of 60% of the participants suggested increasing the number of photographs. No significant differences were found in the subgroup analysis (age, sex, duration of sedation and ventilation, length of diary keeping, severity on admission, or delirium, depression, or anxiety in the intensive care unit). Conclusions: Most patients were satisfied with the diary but suggested an increase in the number of photographs.

Assessment of patient satisfaction and preferences with an intensive care diary. / Avaliação da satisfação e das preferências do doente com o diário em cuidados intensivos.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the satisfaction of patients admitted to the intensive care unit using a diary and analyze possible points for improving this instrument. METHODS: This was an observational, retrospective study, conducted between March 2014 and July 2017, in a multidisciplinary intensive care unit of a district hospital. The diary was implemented in patients sedated for 3 or more days. Three months after discharge, their satisfaction was assessed using a questionnaire. A patient who agreed with the 5 statements assessing the diary's help in clarifying the intensive care unit stay, in filling memory gaps, in recovery, in reassurance, and in the recommendation of this intervention was defined as satisfied. RESULTS: A total of 110 patients were included, of whom 55 answered the questionnaire. Of these, 36 (65.5%) were classified as satisfied. Each item had a positive response in more than 74% of cases. A total of 60% of the participants suggested increasing the number of photographs. No significant differences were found in the subgroup analysis (age, sex, duration of sedation and ventilation, length of diary keeping, severity on admission, or delirium, depression, or anxiety in the intensive care unit). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients were satisfied with the diary but suggested an increase in the number of photographs.

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a satisfação dos doentes internados em uma unidade de cuidado intensivo com o diário e analisar possíveis pontos de melhoria deste instrumento. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo observacional, decorrido entre março de 2014 e julho de 2017, em uma unidade de cuidado intensivo polivalente de um hospital distrital. Foi iniciado o diário em doentes sedados por 3 ou mais dias. Depois de 3 meses da alta, foi avaliada a satisfação deles por meio de um questionário. O doente que concordou com as cinco afirmações que visavam avaliar esclarecimento, preenchimento de lacunas de memória, ajuda na recuperação, tranquilização e recomendação da intervenção foi definido como satisfeito. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 110 doentes, dos quais 55 responderam o questionário. Destes, 36 (65,5%) foram classificados como satisfeitos. Cada item teve uma resposta positiva em mais de 74% dos casos. Sugeriram o aumento do número de fotografias 60% dos participantes. Não foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significativas na análise de subgrupos (idade, sexo, tempo de sedação e ventilação, tempo de diário, gravidade à admissão, delirium, depressão ou ansiedade na unidade de cuidado intensivo). CONCLUSÕES: A maioria dos doentes mostrou-se satisfeita com o diário, sugerindo, no entanto, o aumento do número de fotografias.

Falha na ativação da equipe de emergência intra-hospitalar: causas e consequências / Failure to activate the in-hospital emergency team: causes and outcomes

RESUMO Objetivo: Determinar a incidência de falha na ativação da via aferente da Equipe de Emergência Médica intra-hospitalar, caraterizando-a e comparando a mortalidade dessa população com a da população em que não se verificou falha na ativação da via aferente. Métodos: Entre janeiro de 2013 e julho de 2015, ocorreram 478 ativações da Equipe de Emergência Médica do Hospital Pedro Hispano. Após a exclusão de registos incompletos e ativações para doentes com menos de 6 horas de internamento hospitalar, obtivemos uma amostra de 285 ativações. A amostra foi dividida em dois grupos: o grupo com falha na ativação da via aferente e o grupo em que não ocorreu falha na ativação da via aferente da Equipe de Emergência Médica. As duas populações foram caracterizadas e comparadas. A significância estatística foi considerada para p ≤ 0,05. Resultado: Em 22,1% das ativações, verificou-se falha na ativação da via aferente. Relativamente ao estudo causal, verificamos existir diferença estatisticamente significativa quanto aos critérios de ativação da Equipe de Emergência Médica (p = 0,003) no grupo com falha na ativação da via aferente, encontrando taxa mais elevada de ativação da Equipe de Emergência Médica por paragem cardiorrespiratória e disfunção cardiovascular. Em relação às consequências, no grupo em que ocorreu falha na ativação da via aferente houve uma maior taxa de mortalidade imediata e à data de alta hospitalar, sem significado estatístico. Não encontramos diferenças significativas com relação aos outros parâmetros. Conclusão: Nos doentes em que houve falha da ativação da via aferente da Equipe de Emergência Médica, a incidência de paragem cardiorrespiratória e a taxa de mortalidade foram maiores. Este estudo reforça a necessidade de as unidades de saúde investirem na formação de todos os profissionais de saúde sobre os critérios de ativação da Equipe de Emergência Médica e o funcionamento do sistema de resposta a emergência médica.

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the incidence of afferent limb failure of the in-hospital Medical Emergency Team, characterizing it and comparing the mortality between the population experiencing afferent limb failure and the population not experiencing afferent limb failure. Methods: A total of 478 activations of the Medical Emergency Team of Hospital Pedro Hispano occurred from January 2013 to July 2015. A sample of 285 activations was obtained after excluding incomplete records and activations for patients with less than 6 hours of hospitalization. The sample was divided into two groups: the group experiencing afferent limb failure and the group not experiencing afferent limb failure of the Medical Emergency Team. Both populations were characterized and compared. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Result: Afferent limb failure was observed in 22.1% of activations. The causal analysis revealed significant differences in Medical Emergency Team activation criteria (p = 0.003) in the group experiencing afferent limb failure, with higher rates of Medical Emergency Team activation for cardiac arrest and cardiovascular dysfunction. Regarding patient outcomes, the group experiencing afferent limb failure had higher immediate mortality rates and higher mortality rates at hospital discharge, with no significant differences. No significant differences were found for the other parameters. Conclusion: The incidence of cardiac arrest and the mortality rate were higher in patients experiencing failure of the afferent limb of the Medical Emergency Team. This study highlights the need for health units to invest in the training of all healthcare professionals regarding the Medical Emergency Team activation criteria and emergency medical response system operations.

Failure to activate the in-hospital emergency team: causes and outcomes. / Falha na ativação da equipe de emergência intra-hospitalar: causas e consequências.

OBJECTIVE:: To determine the incidence of afferent limb failure of the in-hospital Medical Emergency Team, characterizing it and comparing the mortality between the population experiencing afferent limb failure and the population not experiencing afferent limb failure. METHODS:: A total of 478 activations of the Medical Emergency Team of Hospital Pedro Hispano occurred from January 2013 to July 2015. A sample of 285 activations was obtained after excluding incomplete records and activations for patients with less than 6 hours of hospitalization. The sample was divided into two groups: the group experiencing afferent limb failure and the group not experiencing afferent limb failure of the Medical Emergency Team. Both populations were characterized and compared. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. RESULT:: Afferent limb failure was observed in 22.1% of activations. The causal analysis revealed significant differences in Medical Emergency Team activation criteria (p = 0.003) in the group experiencing afferent limb failure, with higher rates of Medical Emergency Team activation for cardiac arrest and cardiovascular dysfunction. Regarding patient outcomes, the group experiencing afferent limb failure had higher immediate mortality rates and higher mortality rates at hospital discharge, with no significant differences. No significant differences were found for the other parameters. CONCLUSION:: The incidence of cardiac arrest and the mortality rate were higher in patients experiencing failure of the afferent limb of the Medical Emergency Team. This study highlights the need for health units to invest in the training of all healthcare professionals regarding the Medical Emergency Team activation criteria and emergency medical response system operations.

Pattern of Maxillofacial Fractures in Severe Multiple Trauma Patients: A 7-year Prospective Study

The incidence of facial trauma is high. This study has the primary objective of documenting and cataloging maxillofacial fractures in polytrauma patients. From a total of 1229 multiple trauma cases treated at the Emergency Room of the Santo Antonio Hospital - Oporto Hospital Center, Portugal, between August 2001 and December 2007, 251 patients had facial wounds and 209 had maxillofacial fractures. Aged ranged form 13 to 86 years. The applied selective method was based on the presence of facial wound with Abbreviated Injury Scale ≥1. Men had a higher incidence of maxillofacial fractures among multiple trauma patients (86.6%) and road traffic accidents were the primary cause of injuries (69.38%). Nasoorbitoethmoid complex was the most affected region (67.46%) followed by the maxilla (57.42%). The pattern and presentation of maxillofacial fractures had been studied in many parts of the world with varying results. Severe multiple trauma patients had different patterns of maxillofacial injuries. The number of maxillofacial trauma is on the rise worldwide as well as the incidence of associated sequelae. Maxillofacial fractures on multiple trauma patients were more frequent among males and in road traffic crashes. Knowing such data is elementary. The society should have a key role in the awareness of individuals and in prevention of road traffic accidents.

É alta a incidência de traumas na face. Este estudo teve por objetivo documentar e catalogar as fraturas maxilofaciais em pacientes com politraumatismos. De um total de 1229 casos de politraumatizados tratados na Sala de Emergência do Hospital de Santo António - Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Portugal, entre Agosto de 2001 e Dezembro de 2007, 251 pacientes tiveram ferimentos na face e 209 apresentaram fraturas maxilofaciais. As idades variaram de 13 a 86 anos. O método de seleção baseou-se na presença de ferimentos na face com Abreviated Injury Scale ≥1. Os homens apresentaram maior incidência de fraturas maxilofaciais (86,6%) entre os pacientes com múltiplos traumatismos na face e os acidentes de trânsito foram a causa principal dos traumatismos (69,38%). A região mais afetada foi o complexo naso-órbito-etmoidal (67,46%), seguido pela maxila (57,42%). O padrão e a apresentação das fraturas maxilofaciais tem sido estudado em muitas regiões do mundo com resultados variados. Pacientes com politraumatizados graves apresentaram padrões diferentes de traumatismos maxilofaciais. O número de traumatismos maxilofaciais tem aumentado à escala mundial, assim como a incidência das sequelas associadas. Entre os pacientes com traumatismos múltiplos, a maioria pertencia ao sexo masculino, assim como a causa mais frequente foram os acidentes automobilísticos. É elementar o conhecimento destes dados. A sociedade tem um papel primordial nos cuidados individuais e na prevenção dos acidentes de trânsito.

Pattern of maxillofacial fractures in severe multiple trauma patients: a 7-year prospective study.

The incidence of facial trauma is high. This study has the primary objective of documenting and cataloging maxillofacial fractures in polytrauma patients. From a total of 1229 multiple trauma cases treated at the Emergency Room of the Santo Antonio Hospital - Oporto Hospital Center, Portugal, between August 2001 and December 2007, 251 patients had facial wounds and 209 had maxillofacial fractures. Aged ranged form 13 to 86 years. The applied selective method was based on the presence of facial wound with Abbreviated Injury Scale ≥1. Men had a higher incidence of maxillofacial fractures among multiple trauma patients (86.6%) and road traffic accidents were the primary cause of injuries (69.38%). Nasoorbitoethmoid complex was the most affected region (67.46%) followed by the maxilla (57.42%). The pattern and presentation of maxillofacial fractures had been studied in many parts of the world with varying results. Severe multiple trauma patients had different patterns of maxillofacial injuries. The number of maxillofacial trauma is on the rise worldwide as well as the incidence of associated sequelae. Maxillofacial fractures on multiple trauma patients were more frequent among males and in road traffic crashes. Knowing such data is elementary. The society should have a key role in the awareness of individuals and in prevention of road traffic accidents.

[Does rurality affect the outcome of trauma patients?]. / O doente politraumatizado grave: implicações da ruralidade na mortalidade, incapacidade e qualidade de vida.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the impact of rurality in epidemiology, injury severity, health care facilities, length of stay, mortality, functional outcome and quality of life in severe trauma patients. METHODS: All trauma patients admitted in our Emergency Room between 2001 and 2007. Data was collected from the prospective Trauma Registry and Follow-Up Registry 6 months after the accident. Patients were divided in three groups according to residence area: R (rural), SU (semi-urban) and U (urban). Sex, age, type of injury, length of stay in hospital and intensive care, anatomic severity (AIS), politrauma severity (ISS), physiologic severity (RTS), surveillance probability (TRISS index), pre-hospital care, previous admission in other hospital, intensive care admission, Euroqol and Extended Glasgow Outcome scale and mortality were studied in order to find a relation with rurality. RESULTS: 1150 patients were analyzed (214 rural, 219 semi-urban, 717 urban). We found a statistical significant relation between rurality and pre-hospital care with rural patients having less medical approach in pre-hospital (R group: 12,2%; SU group: 17,7%; U group: 70,1%, p < 0,001), previous admission in other hospital with rural patients being more often admitted in another hospital before transfer to the trauma centre (R group: 89,2%; SU group: 85,8%; U group: 61,9%, p < 0,001) and intensive care admission (R group: 82,2%; SU group: 78,5%; U group: 72,4%, com p < 0,006). We did not find any significant relation between other variables studied namely severity and early or late outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Living in rural areas does not seam to give more burden of disease to severe trauma patients. Rural patients are similar to those that live in urban areas concerning epidemiology, injury severity and outcome. Despite lack of medical pre-hospital care and higher previous admission in other hospital in rural patients, mortality between groups didn't differ in our trauma centre.

Acute kidney injury in severe trauma assessed by RIFLE criteria: a common feature without implications on mortality?

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) has been hard to assess due to the lack of standard definitions. Recently, the Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss and End-Stage Kidney (RIFLE) classification has been proposed to classify AKI in a number of clinical settings. This study aims to estimate the frequency and levels of severity of AKI and to study its association with patient mortality and length of stay (LOS) in a cohort of trauma patients needing intensive care. METHODS: Between August 2001 and September 2007, 436 trauma patients consecutively admitted to a general intensive care unit (ICU), were assessed using the RIFLE criteria. Demographic data, characteristics of injury, and severity of trauma variables were also collected. RESULTS: Half of all ICU trauma admissions had AKI, which corresponded to the group of patients with a significantly higher severity of trauma. Among patients with AKI, RIFLE class R (Risk) comprised 47%, while I (Injury) and F (Failure) were, 36% and 17%, respectively. None of these patients required renal replacement therapy. No significant differences were found among these three AKI classes in relation to patient's age, gender, type and mechanism of injury, severity of trauma or mortality. Nevertheless, increasing severity of acute renal injury was associated with a longer ICU stay. CONCLUSIONS: AKI is a common feature among trauma patients requiring intensive care. Although the development of AKI is associated with an increased LOS it does not appear to influence patient mortality.

The importance of pre-trauma centre treatment of life-threatening events on the mortality of patients transferred with severe trauma.

AIM: The benefit of a well organised trauma system is acknowledged but doubts remain concerning the optimal pre-hospital trauma care model. We hypothesise that the treatment of life-threatening events before arrival at trauma centre--either pre-hospital or first hospital--may be more relevant to decreasing mortality than shortening the time to trauma centre. METHODS: A cohort of 727 trauma patients with life-threatening events--identified as airway, breathing, circulation or neurological disability--requiring transfer to a trauma centre were studied. Data on patient's characteristics, trauma features, and mortality were taken from a trauma registry. Patients were divided into 3 groups depending on the place of treatment of life-threatening events: pre-hospital, first hospital or trauma centre. Survival Kaplan-Meier curves and logistic regression were used to assess the effect of place of treatment of life-threatening events on mortality. RESULTS: Patients from the pre-hospital and first hospital groups had 20% and 27% mortality respectively, compared to 38% among those whose life-threatening events were corrected only at the trauma centre. Logistic regression showed that patients whose life-threatening events were corrected only at the trauma centre had an odds of death 3.3 times greater than those from the pre-hospital group, adjusted for patient and trauma characteristics and time to trauma centre. CONCLUSION: In trauma patients requiring transfer to a trauma centre, pre-hospital interventions to treat life-threatening events may significantly decrease mortality when compared to similar interventions performed later at the trauma centre.

The European Trauma Course (ETC) and the team approach: past, present and future.

The European Trauma Course (ETC) was officially launched during the international conference of the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) in 2008. The ETC was developed on behalf of ESTES (European Society of Trauma and Emergency Surgery), EuSEM (European Society of Emergency Medicine), the ESA (European Society of Anaesthesiology) and the ERC. The objective of the ETC is to provide an internationally recognised and certified life support course, and to teach healthcare professionals the key principles of the initial care of severely injured patients. Its core elements, that differentiates it from other trauma courses, are a strong focus on team training and a novel modular design that is adaptable to the differing regional European requirements. This article describes the lessons learnt during the European Trauma Course development and provides an outline of the planned future development.

Understanding posttraumatic stress disorder-related symptoms after critical care: the early illness amnesia hypothesis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the factual and delusional memories reported by intensive care unit survivors and its relationship with the development of Posttraumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSS). DESIGN: Multicenter observational cohort study. SETTING: Nine Portuguese intensive care units, as part of a multicenter study. METHODS AND PATIENTS: Between January and June 2005, 1,174 patients were admitted across the nine intensive care units. Two hundred thirty-nine patients were excluded, 14 with < 18 yrs old and 225 with a length of intensive care stay < or = 48 hrs. Thus a total of 935 patients were included in the study. One hundred ninety (20%) patients died in the intensive care unit, 90 (12%) patients died on the ward (30% in-hospital mortality rate), and another 56 (9%) died in the next 6 months after intensive care unit discharge. RESULTS: From the 599 survivors at 6 months, 313 patients answered the questionnaires (52% response rate). From the 313 respondents, 58% (n = 183) were men, median age was 59. The median Simplified Acute Physiology Score II was 37, median intensive care unit length of stay was 8 days, 57% (n = 177) of the patients were admitted for medical reasons. Forty percent (n = 116) of the respondents did not remember their admission to hospital, 48% (n = 142) did not remember the time in the hospital before intensive care unit admission, 73% (n = 220) had factual memories and 39% (n = 118) had delusional memories. Twenty-three percent (n = 66) stated that they had had intrusive memories. A higher number of "adverse" experiences were significantly associated with a higher PTSS-14 score. Eighteen percent (n = 54) of patients had a PTSS-14 score > 49, indicating a higher risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder. A PTSS-14 score > 49 was significantly associated with not remembering the hospital stay before intensive care unit admission. CONCLUSION: Amnesia for the early period of critical illness (early amnesia) was positively associated with the level of posttraumatic stress disorder-related symptoms, which may be a proxy for severity of disease at the time of intensive care unit admission.

Mortality Distribution in a Trauma System: From Data to Health Policy Recommendations.

INTRODUCTION: Trimodal distribution of deaths and the golden hour concepts are in part responsible for the genesis of all modern trauma systems but these concepts have been challenged recently. Our aim was to describe distribution of death in trauma using data from a trauma system and discuss what could be done from the organizational point of view to improve outcome. METHODS: We included all traumatic deaths occurring between 2001 and 2005 in a trauma system. Data on age, gender, time and place of injury, time of first and second hospital arrival, cause of trauma and type of accident, hospital characteristics, dominant injury and time of death were collected for this study. Formortality distribution the variable time was transformed applying a natural logarithm. RESULTS: A total of 1,436 deaths occurred over a period of 53 months; 52% at the scene, 18% in the level I trauma center, 21% in level III trauma center and the remaining in level IV/V trauma center. Death distribution using a logarithmic scale in minutes showed four peaks: deaths at the scene, deaths in the first hours, deaths in the first 2 days and finally, deaths in the second week that we referred as 2 min, 2 h, 2 days and 2 weeks peak. We found statistically significant differences in age and dominant injury concerning timing of death. CONCLUSIONS: A tetramodal pattern of death distribution could be described. Our data support the need to focus on the treatment of severe head injuries namely in the intensive care environment.

A comparison of European Trauma Registries. The first report from the EuroTARN Group.

UNLABELLED: Trauma management systems have grown in response to regional variations in trauma population, geographical conditions and the provisions of care. National Trauma Registries are being established to improve patient outcomes. However international comparisons could provide the potential to record regional performance, identify and share examples of best practice. To assess whether it was possible to compare data currently being collected by a number of trauma services across Europe, a group was established to develop a common core dataset and to assess the feasibility of collecting anonymised data. METHOD: A series of meetings with European collaborators led to the creation of a group entitled EuroTARN. A website was developed in 2002 and interested parties were invited to submit suggestions for a European dataset using an online version of the Delphi technique. A core dataset was created in 2003 and in 2004 participants were invited to submit a summary of past cases online via the EuroTARN Website. RESULTS: Representatives from 14 countries met and corresponded to create the core dataset. During a trial data collection phase 14 institutions from 11 countries submitted unadjusted mortality data for over 21,500 cases with injury severity Scores of over 15 including information on multiply injured and head injured patients. The results demonstrated that there were observed differences in trauma outcome for similar groups of patients. CONCLUSION: It is possible to collect and collate outcome data from established trauma registries across Europe with minimal additional infrastructure using a web-based system. Initial analysis of the results reveals significant international variations. The network has potential as a source of data for epidemiological and clinical research and for optimal trauma system design across Europe.