Postmortem CT and autopsy findings in an elevator-related death: a case report.

Elevator-related fatalities and injuries are rarely discussed. Falls have been identified as the first cause of mortality in the majority of these accidents. Evidence suggests that many elevator accidents may be attributed to inadequate equipment maintenance or malfunctions of the devices. This study examines a case involving an elevator maintenance worker found within an elevator shaft, using postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) along with a full autopsy. The autopsy revealed that the cause of death was severe polytrauma resulting from dragging, compression, and crushing mechanisms, which resulted in a dislocated skull and multiple thoraco-abdominal injuries, including exposed organs and viscera. Detailed examination identified a cranio-encephalic crush, leading to a significant alteration in the physiognomy of the facial structures. Additionally, PMCT revealed complex spinal fractures, such as a Jefferson fracture and a complete Chance fracture at the D6 vertebra, accompanied by spinal deviation proximal to the fracture site. Autopsy findings corroborated these PMCT results. A multidisciplinary approach, including PMCT, is proposed as a strategic method for the comprehensive reconstruction of such accidents, facilitating the collection of extensive data.

Taser-Related Ocular Injuries: A Review of the Literature and Medico-Legal Implications.

PURPOSE: Electric weapons have dangers associated with their use, such as burns and trauma related with the impacts of uncontrolled falls, even though they often minimize morbidity and mortality. The exact visual outcome of the damage inflicted is unknown, even though numerous studies have been documented in the literature about the ocular damage induced by the use of these tools. METHODS: We present a narrative review of types of eye damage associated with the use of the Taser. The following search terms were used to identify eligible articles through the PubMed database: "TASER", "Conducted Electric Weapons", "CEWs". RESULTS: A total of 15 articles were included with information about 38 patients with eye damage associated with the use of taser. The majority of patients were males. In most cases the mechanism of injury was the penetration of the probe inside the eye. Clinical manifestations of ocular damage were present in only 18 out of 38 cases and varied according to the type of damage mechanism. Indeed, the cases in which the probe had penetrated the eye showed more severe clinical manifestations with a poor visual outcome. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the introduction of taser use for law enforcement requires serious consideration and adequate training for officers.

Bicycle-related accidents in Rome: Investigating clinical patterns, demographics, injury contexts, and health outcomes for enhanced public safety.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to analyze the clinical characteristics, demographic features, and injury circumstances of patients admitted to the Emergency Department (ED) at Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli (IRCCS) in Rome, Italy, due to bicycle accidents. METHODS: Data on clinical characteristics, accident timing, injury circumstances, and helmet use were collected for ED patients involved in bicycle accidents from January 2019 to December 2022. Subsequently, Abbreviated Injury Scale codes of all diagnoses were recorded and the Injury Severity Score was calculated. RESULTS: Over the study period, 763 patients were admitted to the ED following bicycle accidents, with a 0.3 % fatality rate and a 30.4 % frequency of multitrauma. Multivariate analysis revealed that collisions with other vehicles increased trauma severity and the risk of ICU admission. Conversely, helmet use was associated with reduced severity of head trauma and a lower likelihood of ICU admission. Notably, toxicological investigations were not conducted for any ED-admitted patients. CONCLUSIONS: Although a low mortality rate and a low incidence of multi-trauma have been shown in comparison to other nations, it is necessary to adopt prevention strategies like safety devices, more cycle paths, and better infrastructures on the one hand, and stricter laws on the other. It is essential to require toxicological testing in Italy for all accidents involving this means of transport, and to make helmet use compulsory for all ages.

Blockchain technology in Cardiovascular Medicine: a glance to the future? Results from a social media survey and future perspectives.

The leverage of digital facilities in medicine for disease diagnosis, monitoring, and medical history recording has become increasingly pivotal. However, the advancement of these technologies poses a significant challenge regarding data privacy, given the highly sensitive nature of medical information. In this context, the application of Blockchain technology, a digital system where information is stored in blocks and each block is linked to the one before, has the potential to enhance existing technologies through its exceptional security and transparency. This paradigm is of particular importance in cardiovascular medicine, where the prevalence of chronic conditions leads to the need for secure remote monitoring, secure data storage and secure medical history updating. Indeed, digital support for chronic cardiovascular pathologies is getting more and more crucial. This paper lays its rationale in three primary aims: 1) to scrutinize the existing literature for tangible applications of blockchain technology in the field of cardiology; 2) to report results from a survey aimed at gauging the reception of blockchain technology within the cardiovascular community, conducted on social media; 3) to conceptualize a web application tailored specifically to cardiovascular care based on blockchain technology. We believe that Blockchain technology may contribute to a breakthrough in healthcare digitalization, especially in the field of cardiology; in this context, we hope that the present work may be inspiring for physicians and healthcare stakeholders.

Potentiality of algorithms and artificial intelligence adoption to improve medication management in primary care: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of artificial intelligence (AI) and/or algorithms on drug management in primary care settings comparing AI and/or algorithms with standard clinical practice. Second, we evaluated what is the most frequently reported type of medication error and the most used AI machine type. METHODS: A systematic review of literature was conducted querying PubMed, Cochrane and ISI Web of Science until November 2021. The search strategy and the study selection were conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and the Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome framework. Specifically, the Population chosen was general population of all ages (ie, including paediatric patients) in primary care settings (ie, home setting, ambulatory and nursery homes); the Intervention considered was the analysis AI and/or algorithms (ie, intelligent programs or software) application in primary care for reducing medications errors, the Comparator was the general practice and, lastly, the Outcome was the reduction of preventable medication errors (eg, overprescribing, inappropriate medication, drug interaction, risk of injury, dosing errors or in an increase in adherence to therapy). The methodological quality of included studies was appraised adopting the Quality Assessment of Controlled Intervention Studies of the National Institute of Health for randomised controlled trials. RESULTS: Studies reported in different ways the effective reduction of medication error. Ten out of 14 included studies, corresponding to 71% of articles, reported a reduction of medication errors, supporting the hypothesis that AI is an important tool for patient safety. CONCLUSION: This study highlights how a proper application of AI in primary care is possible, since it provides an important tool to support the physician with drug management in non-hospital environments.

Blood alcohol concentration and road accidents: Underestimation due to time of the arrival to the emergency department (ED) or delay in blood sampling. A 4-Year Retrospective Study in Rome.

Alcohol is a significant public health issue, according to the World Health Organization. Our study aims to analyze the correlation between blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) of drivers, their demographic features, and the possible underestimation of BACs due to the time elapsed between hospital admission and blood sampling. Methods: This study includes patients evaluated for BAC levels in the emergency department (ED) of Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS from January 2013 to December 2016. BAC levels were compared in patients involved in road crashes according to age group, sex, and time of the accident. The delays in blood sampling and BAC measurement in the ED were recorded for each patient. The time between the accident and access to the hospital in most cases was unknown. Results: A total of 398 patients were included in the analysis, 107 of them had BACs more than 0.05 g/L., and 86 of these individuals had BAC levels more than 0.5 g/L. Road accident patients had higher rates of positive BAC readings at night and on weekends. A significant delay in blood sampling for BAC determination was observed. Discussion: This study demonstrates a critical bias due to the arrival time at the ED and the delay in blood sampling that inevitably influences and underestimates the BAC, resulting in possible false negative results (BAC values below the cutoff). Zero tolerance or a retrospective BAC calculation could mitigate this bias. It is necessary to implement preventive strategies to reduce instances of driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol.

An evaluation of Italian medical students attitudes and knowledge regarding forensic medicine.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to assess students' knowledge of forensic medicine concepts and their opinions regarding the course taught during the degree course in Medicine and Surgery in an Italian university. Consequently, the study aims to assess the impact of the course on the students' knowledge and attitude in choosing a medical residency. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted through an anonymous web-based survey of medical students at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. Descriptive and univariate analysis were conducted. RESULTS: 1166 students completed the survey. The forensic medicine course appears to be extremely important in providing training in the fundamental concepts of forensic medicine, especially professional liability, defensive medicine, and forensic pathology. Attending autopsies is important during the course, and their number should be more than ten. Additionally, univariate analysis demonstrates that students' awareness of forensic medicine topics, such as the function of the forensic physicians, professional liability, and defensive medicine, improves in the fifth or sixth year of the course. After the course, more students would choose to pursue a nonclinical and nonsurgical specialty, and forensic medicine specifically, for their residency. CONCLUSIONS: The forensic medicine course has the task of defining the duties and responsibilities of forensic physicians, providing indispensable tools for future medical practitioners, regardless of their future specialisation, and limiting the increasing use of defensive medicine. In conclusion, we recommend further multicenter studies to evaluate the role and direct effect of undergraduate forensic medicine courses on students and on the quality of practice.

Electric scooter-related accidents: a possible protective effect of helmet use on the head injury severity.

Despite electric scooter use has proliferated in Italy since 2019, actionable data regarding injury incidence and patterns associated with electric scooter accidents are limited. This study aims at analyzing the rate, clinical, and demographic features of electric scooter accidents accessed to the Emergency Department (ED) of Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCSS (Rome, Italy). This retrospective study included all patients older than 18 years riding an electric scooter in the ED from June 2019 to April 2022. Personal data, injury circumstances, helmet use, and health data were collected. Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) codes of all diagnoses were recorded, and the Injury Severity Score (ISS) was calculated for each patient. The analysis includes 92 patients admitted to the ED due to an e-scooter accident during the study period, with an increase in years. Thirty-two patients presented bone fractures especially concerning the extremities and the face districts. The median Injury Severity Score in the study cohort was 3, with the highest AIS represented by AIS Pelvic-Extremity and AIS External. Moreover, statistical significance was found between AIS Head-Neck and severity of trauma. E-scooters have become a familiar sight in cities worldwide recently, with many new companies renting them for use. But their arrival has also brought new safety concerns. Although most injuries reported are minor, the meager rate of helmet use is critical. Implementing compulsory helmet use for electric scooters for all ages could be a protective factor for being patient with head trauma on urban streets.

Medical Residents' Behaviours toward Compulsory COVID-19 Vaccination in a Tertiary Hospital in Italy.

To maintain safety conditions in the provision of care and assistance, and to protect healthcare workers (HCWs) and patients, the Italian government required compulsory COVID-19 vaccination for HCWs, including medical residents (MRs). The aim of this study was to assess COVID-19 vaccination coverage in MRs in a large tertiary hospital in Italy, before and after the introduction of compulsory vaccination, according to demographic characteristics and specific residency. A database on COVID-19 vaccination status and infection of resident medical doctors was created. Descriptive statistics and logistic regressions were carried out on the data. A total of 1894 MRs were included in the study. Being vaccinated in the same hospital as the residency program was significantly related to the year of residency and being enrolled in a frontline residency. A significant association between compliance with the compulsory primary cycle vaccination and vaccination in the hospital residency was observed. Being enrolled in the second, third, and last years of residency, and in a frontline residency, were predictive of being vaccinated in the residency hospital. Almost 100% of the MRs participating in the study were vaccinated against COVID-19. Compulsory vaccination of HCWs, alongside greater and clearer information about the risks and benefits of vaccination, represents an important booster to ensure public health and to promote quality and safety of care.

Child maltreatment and management of pediatric patients during COVID-19 pandemic: Knowledge, awareness, and attitudes among students of medicine and surgery. A survey-based analysis.

Purpose of the study: To assess perception, awareness, and attitudes regarding the medico-legal relevance of child maltreatment and management of pediatric patients during the COVID-19 pandemic in a cohort of medicine and surgery students, with a particular focus on child safety and maltreatment. Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted through an anonymous questionnaire on the personal websites of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore medical students. Results: The study included 1,166 participants, the majority of whom were experienced with child maltreatment and defensive medicine; only a small percentage was aware of the government's efforts to prevent child maltreatment and safeguard vaccination physicians. Moreover, there was no agreement on the use of telemedicine for non-serious pediatric patients or on the consequences it might have on their health. Finally, the detrimental impacts of lockdown on children's mental health are a major worry. Conclusions: Knowledge of these themes is mainly implemented by deepening these concepts during the undergraduate studies since a high level of knowledge on child maltreatment and on the management of COVID-19 pandemic was significantly associated with clinical years of course. Specific seminars analyzing telemedicine and legislative protections concerning minors and those concerning vaccination doctors should be included in the study plan to raise awareness these concepts.

A cranio-encephalic trauma due to electric-scooter accident: could the wearing of a helmet reduce this risk?

Nowadays, one of the most important health and social policy issues concerning all countries is the problem of road accident rates. Traffic is one of the most important risk factors. For this reason, ridesharing companies have been launching electric scooters in Rome since June 2019 with the aim of reducing car traffic. In the absence of relevant legislations, the risk is that of facing an increase in deaths due to electric scooter crashes. We report the case of an electric scooter accident victim with cranio-encephalic trauma associated with limb injuries that caused immediate death. This case report emphasizes how the obligation of using helmets must be extended to all ages, in order to reduce the risk of increasing the number of deaths. Compulsory helmet use can reduce fatalities in all cases where high-speed crashes are not involved.

Assessing the potentiality of algorithms and artificial intelligence adoption to disrupt patient primary care with a safer and faster medication management: a systematic review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: In primary care, almost 75% of outpatient visits by family doctors and general practitioners involve continuation or initiation of drug therapy. Due to the enormous amount of drugs used by outpatients in unmonitored situations, the potential risk of adverse events due to an error in the use or prescription of drugs is much higher than in a hospital setting. Artificial intelligence (AI) application can help healthcare professionals to take charge of patient safety by improving error detection, patient stratification and drug management. The aim is to investigate the impact of AI algorithms on drug management in primary care settings and to compare AI or algorithms with standard clinical practice to define the medication fields where a technological support could lead to better results. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of literature will be conducted querying PubMed, Cochrane and ISI Web of Science from the inception to December 2021. The primary outcome will be the reduction of medication errors obtained by AI application. The search strategy and the study selection will be conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and the population, intervention, comparator and outcome framework. Quality of included studies will be appraised adopting the quality assessment tool for observational cohort and cross-sectional studies for non-randomised controlled trials as well as the quality assessment of controlled intervention studies of National Institute of Health for randomised controlled trials. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Formal ethical approval is not required since no human beings are involved. The results will be disseminated widely through peer-reviewed publications.