Screening for violence risk factors identifies young adults at risk for return emergency department visit for injury.

INTRODUCTION: Homicide is the second leading cause of death among youth aged 15-24. Prior cross-sectional studies, in non-healthcare settings, have reported exposure to community violence, peer behavior, and delinquency as risk factors for violent injury. However, longitudinal cohort studies have not been performed to evaluate the temporal or predictive relationship between these risk factors and emergency department (ED) visits for injuries among at-risk youth. The objective was to assess whether self-reported exposure to violence risk factors in young adults can be used to predict future ED visits for injuries over a 1-year period. METHODS: This prospective cohort study was performed in the ED of a Southeastern US Level I trauma center. Eligible participants were patients aged 18-24, presenting for any chief complaint. We excluded patients if they were critically ill, incarcerated, or could not read English. Initial recruitment occurred over a 6-month period, by a research assistant in the ED for 3-5 days per week, with shifts scheduled such that they included weekends and weekdays, over the hours from 8AM-8PM. At the time of initial contact in the ED, patients were asked to complete a written questionnaire, consisting of previously validated instruments measuring the following risk factors: a) aggression, b) perceived likelihood of violence, c) recent violent behavior, d) peer behavior, e) community exposure to violence, and f) positive future outlook. At 12 months following the initial ED visit, the participants' medical records were reviewed to identify any subsequent ED visits for injury-related complaints. We analyzed data with chi-square and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Three hundred thirty-two patients were approached, of whom 300 patients consented. Participants' average age was 21.1 years, with 60.1% female, 86.0% African American. After controlling for participant gender, ethnicity, or injury complaint at time of first visit, return visits for injuries were significantly associated with: hostile/aggressive feelings (Odds ratio (OR) 3.5, 95% Confidence interval (CI): 1.3, 9.8), self-reported perceived likelihood of violence (OR 10.1, 95% CI: 2.5, 40.6), and peer group violence (OR 6.7, 95% CI: 2.0, 22.3). CONCLUSION: A brief survey of risk factors for violence is predictive of increased probability of a return visit to the ED for injury. These findings identify a potentially important tool for primary prevention of violent injuries among at-risk youth seen in the ED for trauma-related and non-traumatic complaints.

Heparin-induced anaphylactoid reaction associated with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in the ED.

Although rare, heparin-induced anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions have been previously described in the literature. We present a case of a patient who presented to the emergency department with dyspnea and was subsequently diagnosed with an acute pulmonary venous thromboembolism. Shortly after being started on intravenous unfractionated heparin, she developed sudden cardiovascular collapse leading to a cardiopulmonary arrest. She was successfully resuscitated and, after further diagnostic evaluation, was found to have developed a heparin-induced anaphylactoid reaction.

Case writing as a vehicle for promoting cultural competency: a retrospective, descriptive qualitative analysis.

BACKGROUND: A variety of approaches are available that provide cultural competency education for practicing physicians. There is, however, still a need for additional, innovative approaches that address continuing education and professional improvement regarding cultural competency for physicians after their training. OBJECTIVE: To assess the potential impact on established clinicians of writing an extended case narrative on cultural competency. METHODS: We conducted structured interviews of physician contributors (n = 14) to a book of cases on cultural competency. Authors were invited to contribute to the book based on their experiences as established clinicians, and previous expertise in cultural competency research or education was not required. Because of this, the editors employed a process in which they worked with contributors in a one-on-one manner to develop their case(s). RESULTS: The participants were experienced physicians (all > 10 years since medical school graduation), most of whom were white (64%) and affiliated with an academic medical center (86%). The majority of the contributors (1) reported that writing their case(s) increased their awareness of, and sensitivity to, issues of cultural competency; (2) indicated that the writing of their case(s) changed their approach to patient care and/ or their education of medical students or graduate medical trainees; and (3) would recommend case writing as a vehicle for promoting cultural sensitivity and awareness. CONCLUSIONS: Although preliminary, these data suggest that the cultural awareness, sensitivity, and competence of established physicians might be enhanced by a process in which clinicians are facilitated in the writing of cases that address issues of culture that are pertinent to their practice and patient experiences.

Complications following thoracic trauma managed with tube thoracostomy.

INTRODUCTION: Tube thoracostomy is a common procedure used to treat traumatic chest injuries. Although the mechanism of injury traditionally does not alter chest tube management, complication rates may vary depending on the severity of injury. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of and risk factors associated with chest tube complications (CTCs) following thoracic trauma. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all trauma patients (≥16 years old) admitted to an urban level 1 trauma centre (1/2007-12/2007) was conducted. Patients who required chest tube (CT) therapy for thoracic injuries within 24 h of admission and survived until CT removal were included. CTCs were defined as a recurrent pneumothorax or residual haemothorax requiring CT reinsertion within 24 h after initial tube removal or addition of new CT >24 h after initial placement. Variables including demographic data, mechanism, associated injuries, initial vital signs, chest abbreviated injury score (AIS), injury severity score (ISS), Glasgow coma score (GCS) and length of stay (LOS) and CT-specific variables (e.g. indication, timing of insertion, and duration of therapy) were compared using the chi square test, Mann-Whitney test, and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: 154 patients were included with 22.1% (n=34) developing a CTC. On univariate analysis, CTCs were associated with longer ICU and hospital LOS (p=0.02 and p<0.001), increased chest AIS (p=0.01), and the presence of an extrathoracic injury (p=0.047). Results of the multivariate analysis indicated that only increased chest AIS (OR 2.49; p=0.03) was a significantly independent predictor of CTCs. CONCLUSIONS: CTCs following chest trauma are common and are associated with increased morbidity. The severity of the thoracic injury, as measured by chest AIS, should be incorporated into the development of CT management guidelines in order to decrease the incidence of CTCs.