TQIP mortality reporting system case reports: Unanticipated mortality due to airway loss.

ABSTRACT: The Trauma Quality Improvement Program Mortality Reporting System is an online anonymous case reporting system designed to share experiences from rare events that may have contributed to unanticipated mortality at contributing trauma centers. The Trauma Quality Improvement Program Mortality Reporting System Working Group monitors submitted cases and organizes them into emblematic themes. This report summarizes unanticipated mortality from 3 cases of airway loss in injured patients and presents strategies to mitigate these events locally, with the hope of decreasing unanticipated mortality nationwide.

Evaluation of Cervical Spine Clearance by Computed Tomographic Scan Alone in Intoxicated Patients With Blunt Trauma.

IMPORTANCE: Current trauma guidelines dictate that the cervical spine should not be cleared in intoxicated patients, resulting in prolonged immobilization or additional imaging. Modern computed tomography (CT) technology may obviate this and allow for immediate clearance. OBJECTIVE: To analyze cervical spine clearance practices and the utility of CT scans of the cervical spine in intoxicated patients with blunt trauma. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We performed a prospective observational study of 1668 patients with blunt trauma aged 18 years and older who underwent cervical spine CT scans from March 2014 to March 2015 at an American College of Surgeons-verified Level I trauma center. Intoxication was determined by serum alcohol levels and urine drug screens. Physical examination and CT scan findings were evaluated for cervical spine injuries (CSI) and the incidence of missed injuries. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Clinically relevant CSIs requiring cervical stabilization. The hypotheses formed prior to data collection were that cervical CT scans are sensitive and specific enough to diagnose CSIs that require stabilization and that normal CT scans are sufficient to clear CSIs in intoxicated patients. RESULTS: Of 1668 patients, 1103 (66.1%) were male, with a mean (SD) age of 49 (20) years and a mean (SD) Injury Severity Score of 10 (9). Vehicular (734 [44.0%]) and falls (579 [34.7%]) were the most common mechanisms for hospitalization. Intoxication was identified in 632 of 1429 of patients tested (44.2%; 425 [29.7%] by serum alcohol levels and 350 [24.5%] by urine drug screens). Half (316 [50.0%]) were admitted with cervical spine immobilization, and 38 (12%) of these were solely owing to the presence of intoxication. There were 65 abnormal CT scans (10.3%) in the intoxicated group. Among 567 normal CT scans, 4 (0.7%) had central cord syndrome found on initial physical examination, and 1 (0.2%) had a symptomatic unstable ligament injury that was misread as normal on CT scan but was abnormal on magnetic resonance imaging. The 316 patients kept in a cervical collar for intoxication had no missed CSIs but were kept immobilized for a mean (SD) of 12 (19) hours. Computed tomographic scans had an overall negative predictive value of 99.2% for patients with CSIs and a negative predictive value of 99.8% for ruling out CSIs that required immobilization or stabilization. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this study, alcohol or drug intoxication was common and resulted in significant delays to cervical spine clearance. Computed tomographic scans were highly reliable for identifying all clinically significant CSIs. Spine clearance based on a normal CT scan among intoxicated patients with no gross motor deficits appears to be safe and avoids prolonged and unnecessary immobilization.

Lung protective ventilation strategies: have we applied them in trauma patients at risk for acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome?

Lung protective ventilation strategies for patients with acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are well documented, and many medical centers fail to apply these strategies in ALI/ARDS. The objective of this study was to determine if we apply these strategies in trauma patients at risk for ALI/ARDS. We undertook a retrospective review of trauma patients mechanically ventilated for > or = 4 days with an ICD-9 for traumatic pneumothorax, hemothorax, lung contusion, and/or fractured ribs admitted from May 1, 1999 through April 30, 2000 (Group 1), the pre-ARDS Network study, and from May 1, 2003 through April 30, 2004 (Group 2), the post-ARDS Network study. Tidal volume (VT)/kg admission body weight, VT/kg ideal body weight (IBW), and plateau and peak pressures were analyzed with respect to mortality. VT/Kg admission body weight and IBW were significantly reduced when comparing Group 1 with Group 2 (9.27 to 8.03 and 11.67 to 10.04, respectively). VT/kg IBW was greater (P < 0.01) for patients who died in Group 1 (13.81) compared with patients who lived (10.29) or died (9.89) in Group 2. Peak and plateau pressures were greater (P < 0.01) in patients who died in Group 1 than patients who lived or died in Group 2. A strict ARDS Network ventilation strategy (VT < 6 mL/kg) is not followed, rather a low plateau/peak pressure strategy is used, which is a form of lung protective ventilation.

Aggressive surveillance and early catheter-directed therapy in the management of intra-abdominal hypertension.

INTRODUCTION: Trauma patients represent a heterogeneous group at risk for the development of both primary and secondary abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS). Our study aims at identifying these individuals early in their course and placing an intra-abdominal catheter to reduce intra-abdominal pressure before the serious hemodynamic consequences of ACS occur. METHODS: During a 10-month period, 12 patients were identified who developed intra-abdominal hypertension. Patients who received 12 L or more of intravenous fluids in the first 24 hours of their resuscitation or received 500 mL/hr of intravenous fluids for more than 4 consecutive hours were considered at risk and had intra-abdominal pressure readings via bladder catheters every 4 hours. After resuscitation, patients were given a physical examination and intra-abdominal pressures were taken every 4 hours or when clinically necessary. When abdominal compartment pressures (ACPs) exceeded 20 mm Hg or the abdominal perfusion pressure (APP = mean arterial pressure-ACP) fell below 50 mm Hg, a diagnostic peritoneal lavage catheter was placed. Fluid volume and type drained, abdominal pressures, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, and pulmonary compliance were recorded. If adequate control of abdominal compartment pressures was not achieved, the patients were managed with a traditional decompressive laparotomy. RESULTS: Readings taken 30 minutes after placement of the peritoneal catheter showed an average decrease in ACP of 8.0 mm Hg (p = 0.01); an increase in APP of 13.8 mm Hg (p = 0.14); an increase in static pulmonary compliance of 8.1 mL/cmH2O (p = 0.16); and an increase in mean arterial pressure of 5.8 mm Hg (p = 0.52). Ten of the twelve patients were managed nonoperatively. Four patients failed to have their APP improve to >50 mm Hg with the catheter. Two of these patients underwent laparotomy, with one survivor and one mortality secondary to infarcted small bowel. Two did not undergo laparotomy, with one dying of cerebral herniation and the other having care withdrawn. Eight of the twelve patients required intra-abdominal catheters early in their admission (in the first 32 hours), with 7 of 8 surviving. Four patients received intra-abdominal catheters later than day 4 in their admission. All of those four patients died, three within 24 hours. Overall, 5 of the 12 patients died. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-abdominal catheter placement is a reasonable first step in the early management of ACS. It may prevent a portion of patients from progressing to hemodynamically significant ACS and prevent the complications of managing an open abdominal wound. Also, the late intra-abdominal hypertension may be a prognostic indicator of an impending rapid clinical deterioration. Further prospective investigation is warranted to determine whether this method reduces overall morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients.

Corticosteroid use in the intensive care unit: at what cost?

HYPOTHESIS: Corticosteroid use has a significant effect on morbidity and mortality in the intensive care unit (ICU). DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Burn-trauma ICU in a level 1 trauma center. PATIENTS: All patients who received corticosteroids while in the ICU from January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2003 (n = 100), matched by age and Injury Severity Score with a control group (n = 100). INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We considered the following 7 outcomes: pneumonia, bloodstream infection, urinary tract infection, other infections, ICU length of stay (LOS), ventilator LOS, and mortality. RESULTS: Cases and controls had similar APACHE II (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II) scores and medical history. In univariate analysis, the corticosteroid group had a significant increase in pneumonia (26% vs 12%; P<.01), bloodstream infection (19% vs 7%; P<.01), and urinary tract infection (17% vs 8%; P<.05). In multivariate models, corticosteroid use was associated with an increased rate of pneumonia (odds ratio [OR], 2.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21-5.75) and bloodstream infection (OR, 3.25; 95% CI, 1.26-8.37). There was a trend toward increased urinary tract infection (OR, 2.31; 95% CI, 0.94-5.69), other infections (OR, 2.57; 95% CI, 0.87-7.67), and mortality (OR, 1.89; 95% CI, 0.81-4.40). Patients in the ICU who received corticosteroids had a longer ICU LOS by 7 days (P<.01) and longer ventilator LOS by 5 days (P<.01). CONCLUSIONS: Corticosteroid use is associated with increased rate of infection, increased ICU and ventilator LOS, and a trend toward increased mortality. Caution must be taken to carefully consider the indications, risks, and benefits of corticosteroids when deciding on their use.

Duodenal ulceration into the cystic artery with resultant massive hemorrhage.

Anterior duodenal ulceration with erosion into the cystic artery is an extremely rare source of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Interventions that have previously been reported include open exploration with cholecystectomy, open exploration while leaving the gallbladder in situ, and angiographic management. We report a case of massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding related to duodenal ulcer penetration of the cystic artery and discuss potential management strategies.

Nonoperative trauma management: has the pendulum swung too far? The distinguished Dr. William Matory lecture.

Over the last decade, the role of nonoperative management has revolutionized the specialty of trauma. However, this management paradigm has generated substantial controversy in several areas, including penetrating neck and abdominal trauma. Evidence-based analysis will be the ultimate guideline to determine what is optimal management. To prevent the pendulum from swinging too far, there should always exist a high index of suspicion to possible complications associated with the nonoperative approach. Also, the specific choice of management should be institution- and resource dependent.

Protocol-driven ventilator management in a trauma intensive care unit population.

HYPOTHESIS: The use of weaning and sedation protocols affects the intensive care unit (ICU) course of a trauma population. DESIGN: Nonrandomized before-after trial. SETTING: A level I trauma center. PATIENTS: Three hundred twenty-eight consecutive trauma patients receiving mechanical ventilation treated in the ICU between October 1, 1997, and November 1, 1999. INTERVENTION: Sedation and weaning protocols were used to treat patients receiving mechanical ventilation during the second year of this study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-extubation rates, ventilator days, number of ICU days, and charges. RESULTS: There were 168 patients in the preprotocol group (year 1: October 1, 1997, to October 31, 1998) and 160 patients in the postprotocol group (year 2: November 1, 1998, to November 30, 1999). The groups were similar in age (P =.68), Injury Severity Score (P =.06), and Glasgow Coma Scale score (P =.29). There were no differences in self-extubation rates (P =.57), ventilator days (P =.83), ventilator charges (P =.83), number of ICU days (P =.67), or ICU charges (P =.67) between the 2 groups. No statistical difference was identified in any of these categories when long-term ventilator patients (defined as ventilator length of stay > or =3 SDs above the mean) were excluded. CONCLUSIONS: Use of weaning and sedation protocols did not affect the measured outcomes in this study. These findings may reflect difficulties inherent in the protocols or with their utilization. Further subgroup analysis focusing on ventilator-associated pneumonias and mortality may demonstrate benefits not identified herein.

Blunt trauma and the role of routine pelvic radiographs: a prospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that clinical factors accurately identify those trauma patients at high risk for pelvic fractures making routine films unnecessary. METHODS: Blunt trauma patients were prospectively analyzed both with and without a clinical protocol. The protocol group had pelvic films obtained only if they had a Glasgow Coma Scale score < 13 or had signs and symptoms of pelvic or back injury. RESULTS: The protocol patients with fractures (n = 45) had a higher Injury Severity Score (p = 0.001) and lower systolic blood pressure (p = 0.04) than those without fractures (n = 475). All 45 patients with pelvic fractures were identified by history and physical examination (p = 0.001). The clinical assessment resulted in a sensitivity and a negative predictive value of 100%. A total of 273 films were eliminated, resulting in a charge savings of $51,051. A comparison between the protocol and nonprotocol groups showed the nonprotocol patients with pelvic fractures to have a higher Injury Severity Score (p < 0.002). All of these patients' pelvic fractures were identified by clinical evaluation (67 of 67). CONCLUSION: In the awake and alert patient, the need for a pelvic radiograph was readily identified by clinical examination. Because elimination of this film would result in financial savings, its routine use should be removed from standard trauma protocols in the minimally injured patient and limited to severely injured patients as recommended by the Advanced Trauma Life Support protocol.