Utility of Torso Imaging for Elderly Patients Sustaining Ground-Level Falls.

INTRODUCTION: Computed tomography (CT) of the torso has become increasingly common for assessment of fall patients in the emergency department. Some data suggest that older adults (≥65) may benefit from torso imaging more than younger patients. We sought to evaluate the usage and utility of CT imaging for elderly patients presenting after ground-level falls (GLFs) from 1 meter or less at our level 1 trauma center. METHODS: Patients ≥18 presenting with GLF in 2015-2019 were included. Data were obtained through chart and trauma registry review. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the use of CT imaging for patients younger than versus older than 65 y old. Three multivariate logistic regression models with age as a continuous, binary (<65 versus ≥65), or categorical (in multiples of 5) variable were used to investigate whether age is associated with an increased identification of traumatic injury not previously suspected or known based on physical exam (PE) or plain radiograph after GLF. RESULTS: A total of 522 patients <65 and 673 patients ≥65 y old were included. Older patients were significantly more likely to receive screening chest radiograph, screening pelvic radiograph, brain CT, and neck CT (all P < 0.001), but not torso (chest, abdomen, and pelvis) CT (P = 0.144). On multivariate logistic regression, age was not significantly associated with an increased odds of identification of traumatic injury after torso CT (continuous: adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.99-1.03, P = 0.379; binary: aOR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.46-1.58, P = 0.619; categorical: aOR = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.94-1.14, P = 0.453). A positive PE was the only variable associated with significantly increased odds of having an abnormal torso CT scan in all models. Only two patients ≥65 y old had injuries identified on torso CT in the context of a negative PE and negative screening imaging. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of torso injury identification in patients sustaining GLF is not associated with age, but is strongly associated with positive PE findings. In the subset of elderly GLF patients without positive torso PE findings, more conservative use of CT imaging could decrease health-care utilization costs without compromising patient care.

Use and Outcomes of Dexamethasone in the Management of Malignant Small Bowel Obstruction.

Objective: To describe rates of dexamethasone use in the nonoperative management of malignant small bowel obstruction (mSBO) and their outcomes. Background: mSBO is common in patients with advanced abdominal-pelvic cancers. Management includes prioritizing quality of life and avoiding surgical intervention when possible. The use of dexamethasone to restore bowel function is recommended in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for mSBO. Yet, it is unknown how often dexamethasone is used for mSBO and whether results from nonresearch settings support its use. Methods: This is a multicenter retrospective cohort study including unique admissions for mSBO from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021. Dexamethasone use and management outcomes were summarized with descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression. Results: Among 571 admissions (68% female, mean age 63 years, 85% history of abdominal surgery) that were eligible and initially nonoperative, 26% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 23%-30%] received dexamethasone treatment (69% female, mean age 62 years, 87% history of abdominal surgery). Dexamethasone use by site ranged from 13% to 52%. Among dexamethasone recipients, 13% (95% CI = 9%-20%) subsequently required nonelective surgery during the same admission and 4 dexamethasone-related safety-events were reported. Amongst 421 eligible admissions where dexamethasone was not used, 17% (95% CI = 14%-21%) required nonelective surgery. Overall, the unadjusted odds ratio (OR) for nonelective surgery with dexamethasone use compared to without its use was 0.7 (95% CI = 0.4-1.3). Using multiple logistic regression, OR after adjusting for site, age, sex, history of abdominal surgery, nasogastric tube, and Gastrografin use was 0.6 (95% CI = 0.3-1.1). Conclusion: Dexamethasone was used in about 1 in 4 eligible mSBO admissions with high variability of use between tertiary academic centers. This multicenter retrospective cohort study suggested an association between dexamethasone use and lower rates of nonelective surgery, representing a potential opportunity for quality improvement.

The Use and Impact of a Decision Support Tool for Appendicitis Treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Since introducing new and alternative treatment options may increase decisional conflict, we aimed to describe the use of the decision support tool (DST) and its impact on treatment preference and decisional conflict. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: For the treatment of appendicitis, antibiotics are an effective alternative to appendectomy, with both approaches associated with a different set of risks (e.g., recurrence vs surgical complications) and benefits (e.g., more rapid return to work vs decreased chance of readmission). Patients often have limited knowledge of these treatment options and decision support tools that include video-based educational materials and questions to elicit patient preferences about outcomes may be helpful. Concurrent to the Comparing Outcomes of Drugs and Appendectomy (CODA) trial, our group developed a DST for appendicitis treatment (www.appyornot.org). METHODS: A retrospective cohort including people who self-reported current appendicitis and used the AppyOrNot DST between 2021-2023. Treatment preferences before- and after- use of the DST, demographic information, and Ottawa Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS) were reported after completing the DST. RESULTS: 8,243 people from 66 countries and all 50 US states accessed the DST. Before the DST, 14% had a strong preference for antibiotics and 31% for appendectomy, with 55% undecided. After using the DST, the proportion in the undecided category decreased to 49% (P<0.0001). 52% of those who completed the Ottawa Decisional Conflict Score (DCS) (n=356) reported the lowest level of decisional conflict (<25) after using the DST; 43% had a DCS score of 25-50, 5.1% had a DCS score of >50 and 2.5% had and DCS score of >75. CONCLUSION: The publicly available DST appyornot.org reduced the proportion that was undecided about which treatment they favored and had a modest influence on those with strong treatment preferences. Decisional conflict was not common after use. The use of this DST is now a component of a nationwide implementation program aimed at improving the way surgeons share information about appendicitis treatment options. If its use can be successfully implemented, this may be a model for improving communication about treatment for patients experiencing emergency health conditions.

Nearly 20 Years Since the Federal Ban: Can State-Level Assault Weapon Prohibitions Fill the Void? Comparative Analysis of Case Fatality and Assault Weapon Recovery in States With and Without an Assault Weapon Ban.

INTRODUCTION: Few states established assault weapon bans (AWBs) after the federal AWB expired. The effectiveness of state AWBs as well as neighboring state legislation, in reducing the local prevalence of assault weapons (AWs) or in reducing overall shooting lethality is unknown. METHODS: We queried the Gun Violence Archive (2014-2021) to identify US firearm injuries and fatalities. Shooting case fatality rates were compared among states with and without AWBs, as reported in the State Firearm Laws Database. Data on recovered firearms was obtained from the ATF Firearms Trace Database and used to estimate weapon prevalence. Recovered firearms were classified as AWs based on caliber (7.62 mm, 5.56 mm, 0.223 cal). We performed spatially weighted linear regression models, with fixed effects for state and year to assess the association between geographically clustered state legislation and firearm outcomes. RESULTS: From 2014 to 2021, the US shooting victim case fatality rate was 8.06% and did not differ among states with and without AWBs. The proportion of AWs to total firearms was 5.0% in states without an AWB and 6.0% in states with an AWB (mean difference [95% CI] = -0.8% [-1.6% to -0.2%], P = 0.03). Most recovered firearms in AWB states originated from non-AWB states. On adjusted models, there was no association between state-level AWB and firearm case fatality; however, adjacency to states with an AWB was associated with lower case fatality (P < 0.001). Clustered AWB states with shared borders had lower AW prevalence and fatality rates than the rest of the US. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated state AWBs are not inversely associated with shooting case fatality rates nor the prevalence of AWs, but AWBs among multiple neighboring states may be associated with both outcomes.

Scheduled Follow-Up and Association with Emergency Department Use and Readmission after Trauma.

BACKGROUND: After traumatic injury, 13-14% of patients utilize the emergency department (ED) and 11% are readmitted within 30 days. Decreasing ED visits and readmission represents a target for quality improvement. This cohort study evaluates risk factors for ED visits and readmission after trauma, focusing on outpatient follow-up. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective chart review of adult trauma admissions from 1/1/2018-12/31/2021. Our primary exposure was outpatient follow-up, our primary outcome was ED use, and our secondary outcome was readmission. Multivariable logistic regression evaluated the association between primary exposure and outcomes, adjusting for factors identified on unadjusted analysis. RESULTS: 2,266 patients met inclusion criteria, with an 11.3% ED visit rate and 4.1% readmission rate. Attending follow-up did not have a significant association with ED visits (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.99-2.01, p=0.05) or readmission rates (OR 1.68, 95% CI 0.95-2.99, p=0.08). Significant associations with ED use included non-white race, depression, anxiety, substance use disorder, discharge disposition, and being discharged with lines or drains. Significant associations with readmission included depression, anxiety, and discharge disposition. CONCLUSION: Emphasizing outpatient follow-up in trauma patients is not an effective target to decrease ED use or readmission. Future studies should focus on supporting patients with mental health comorbidities and investigating interventions to optimally engage with trauma patients after hospital discharge.

Bullet holes: A novel model to identify the most impactful gaps in the firearm homicide prevention laws of each state.

BACKGROUND: Firearm homicides (FH) are a major cause of mortality in the United States. Firearm law implementation is variable across states, and legislative gaps may represent opportunities for FH prevention. For each state, we sought to identify which firearm law category would have been most effective if implemented and how effective it would have been. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study examining the effects of firearm laws on FH rates in the 48 contiguous US states 2010 to 2019. Data were obtained from the CDC WONDER and FBI UCR databases, State Firearm Law Database, and US Census. Firearm laws were grouped into 14 categories. We assessed the association between the presence of each law category and FH rate as an incidence rate ratio (IRR) using a Poisson regression accounting for state population characteristics and laws of surrounding states. We estimated the IRR for each state that did not have a given law category present and determined which of these missing law categories would have been associated with the greatest reduction in FH rate. RESULTS: FH rates varied widely across states and increased from a mean of 3.2 (SD = 1.7) to 4.2 (SD = 2.9) FH per 100,000. All law categories were significantly associated with decreased FH rate ( p < 0.05), with IRR ranging from 0.25 to 0.85. The most effective missing law category differed between states but was most commonly child access prevention (34.09% of states), assault weapons and large-capacity magazines (15.91%), preemption (15.91%), and concealed carry permitting (13.64%). In total across 2010 to 2019, we estimated that 129,599 fewer FH would have occurred with enactment of the most effective missing law category in each state. CONCLUSION: Modeling firearm law prevention of FH with regard to state legislative and population characteristics can identify the highest impact missing law categories in each state. These results can be used to inform efforts to reduce FH. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic and Epidemiological; Level IV.

Timing of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis initiation and complications in polytrauma patients with high-risk bleeding orthopedic interventions: A nationwide analysis.

INTRODUCTION: There are no clear recommendations for the perioperative timing and initiation of venous thromboembolism pharmacologic prophylaxis (VTEp) among polytrauma patients undergoing high-risk bleeding orthopedic operative intervention, leading to variations in VTEp administration. Our study examined the association between the timing of VTEp and VTE complications in polytrauma patients undergoing high-risk operative orthopedic interventions nationwide. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of trauma patients 18 years or older who underwent high-risk bleeding operative orthopedic interventions for pelvic, hip, and femur fractures within 24 hours of admission at American College of Surgeons-verified trauma centers using the 2019-2020 American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program databank. We excluded patients with a competing risk of nonorthopedic surgical bleeding. We assessed operative orthopedic polytrauma patients who received VTEp within 12 hours of orthopedic surgical intervention compared with VTEp received beyond 12 hours of intervention. The primary outcome assessed was overall VTE events. Secondary outcomes were orthopedic reinterventions within 72 hours after primary orthopedic surgery, deep venous thromboembolism, and pulmonary embolism rates. RESULTS: The study included 2,229 patients who underwent high-risk orthopedic operative intervention. The median time to VTEp initiation was 30 hours (interquartile range, 18-44 hours). After adjustment for baseline patient, injury, and hospital characteristics, VTEp initiated more than 12 hours from primary orthopedic surgery was associated with increased odds of VTE (adjusted odds ratio, 2.02; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-3.77). Earlier initiation of prophylaxis was not associated with an increased risk for surgical reintervention (hazard ratio, 0.90; 95% confidence interval, 0.62-1.34). CONCLUSION: Administering VTEp within 24 hours of admission and within 12 hours of major orthopedic surgery involving the femur, pelvis, or hip demonstrated an associated decreased risk of in-hospital VTE without an accompanying elevated risk of bleeding-related orthopedic reintervention. Clinicians should reconsider delays in initiating or withholding perioperative VTEp for stable polytrauma patients needing major orthopedic intervention. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/Care Management; Level III.

Risk factors for loss to follow-up after traumatic injury: An updated view of a chronic problem.

BACKGROUND: Loss to follow-up after traumatic injury occurs at rates of up to 47%. However, the most recent data are over a decade old, and recent changes in traumatic injury patterns necessitate an updated assessment of risk factors for loss to follow-up after trauma. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of trauma admissions from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2021. Categorical variables were compared using χ2 analyses, and continuous variables were analyzed using Mann-Whitney Wilcoxon tests. Multivariable logistic regression was used to adjust for relevant factors identified on unadjusted analysis. RESULTS: Among 3,034 patients, overall loss to follow-up was 36.9%. Non-White patients, patients who underwent operations or non-surgical procedures, and patients discharged to rehabilitation facilities were more likely to have follow-up appointments within 30 days. Patients with substance use disorder and, among White patients, those with public insurance had higher loss to follow-up rates. Having a follow-up appointment scheduled with a primary care provider was the single most significant factor associated with attending a follow-up appointment. CONCLUSION: Social determinants of health, such as insurance status and substance use disorder, are associated with loss of follow-up after trauma. Primary care appointments are associated with the highest attendance rates, supporting that all patients should be offered primary care appointments after traumatic injury.

Determinants of long-term physical and mental health outcomes after intensive care admission for trauma survivors.

INTRODUCTION: Collectively, studies from medical and surgical intensive care units (ICU) suggest that long-term outcomes are poor for patients who have spent significant time in an ICU. We sought to identify determinants of post-intensive care physical and mental health outcomes 6-12 months after injury. METHODS: Adult trauma patients [ISS ≥9] admitted to one of three Level-1 trauma centers were interviewed 6-12 months post-injury to evaluate patient-reported outcomes. Patients requiring ICU admission â€‹≥ â€‹3 days ("ICU patients") were compared with those who did not require ICU admission ("non-ICU patients"). Multivariable regression models were built to identify factors associated with poor outcomes among ICU survivors. RESULTS: 2407 patients were followed [598 (25%) ICU and 1809 (75%) non-ICU patients]. Among ICU patients, 506 (85%) reported physical or mental health symptoms. Of them, 265 (52%) had physical symptoms only, 15 (3%) had mental symptoms only, and 226 (45%) had both physical and mental symptoms. In adjusted analyses, compared to non-ICU patients, ICU patients were more likely to have new limitations for ADLs (OR â€‹= â€‹1.57; 95% CI â€‹= â€‹1.21, 2.03), and worse SF-12 mental (mean Δ â€‹= â€‹-1.43; 95% CI â€‹= â€‹-2.79, -0.09) and physical scores (mean Δ â€‹= â€‹-2.61; 95% CI â€‹= â€‹-3.93, -1.28). Age, female sex, Black race, lower education level, polytrauma, ventilator use, history of psychiatric illness, and delirium during ICU stay were associated with poor outcomes in the ICU-admitted group. CONCLUSIONS: Physical impairment and mental health symptoms following ICU stay are highly prevalent among injury survivors. Modifiable ICU-specific factors such as early liberation from ventilator support and prevention of delirium are potential targets for intervention.

Patients Lost to Follow-up After Injury: Who are They and What are Their Long-Term Outcomes?

INTRODUCTION: Trauma patients are at high risk for loss to follow-up (LTFU) after hospital discharge. We sought to identify risk factors for LTFU and investigate associations between LTFU and long-term health outcomes in the trauma population. METHODS: Trauma patients with an Injury Severity Score ≥9 admitted to one of three Level-I trauma centers, 2015-2020, were surveyed via telephone 6 mo after injury. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess factors associated with LTFU and several long-term outcomes. RESULTS: Of 3609 patients analyzed, 808 (22.4%) were LTFU. Patients LTFU were more likely to be male (71% versus 61%, P = 0.001), Black (22% versus 14%, P = 0.003), have high school or lower education (50% versus 42%, P = 0.003), be publicly insured (23% versus 13%, P < 0.001), have a penetrating injury (13% versus 8%, P = 0.006), have a shorter length of stay (3.64 d ± 4.09 versus 5.06 ± 5.99, P < 0.001), and be discharged home without assistance (79% versus 50%, P < 0.001). In multivariate analyses, patients who followed up were more likely to require assistance at home (6% versus 11%; odds ratio [OR] 2.23, 1.26-3.92, P = 0.005), have new functional limitations (11% versus 26%; OR 2.91, 1.97-4.31, P = < 0.001), have daily pain (30% versus 48%; OR 2.11, 1.54-2.88, P = < 0.001), and have more injury-related emergency department visits (7% versus 10%; OR 1.93, 1.15-3.22, P = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Vulnerable populations are more likely to be LTFU after injury. Clinicians should be aware of potential racial and socioeconomic disparities in follow-up care after traumatic injury. Future studies investigating improvement strategies in follow-up care should be considered.

Social Determinants of Health Associated With the Need for Urgent Versus Elective Cholecystectomy at an Urban, Safety-Net Hospital.

Background: Benign gallstone disease is the most frequent indication for cholecystectomy in the United States. Many patients present with complicated disease requiring urgent interventions, which increases morbidity and mortality. We investigated the association between individual and population-level social determinants of health (SDoH) with urgent versus elective cholecystectomy. Patients and Methods: All patients undergoing cholecystectomy (2014-2021) for benign gallstone disease were included. Demographic and clinical data were linked to population-level SDoH characteristics using census tracts. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: A total of 3,197 patients met inclusion criteria; 1,913 (59.84%) underwent urgent cholecystectomy, 1,204 (37.66%) underwent emergent cholecystectomy, and 80 (2.5%) underwent interval cholecystectomy. On multinomial logistic regression, patients who were older (relative risk [RR], 1.010; p < 0.001), black (RR, 1.634; p = 0.008), and living in census tracts with a higher percent of poverty (RR, 0.017; p = 0.021) had a higher relative risk of presenting for urgent cholecystectomy. Patients who were female (RR, 0.462; p < 0.001), had a primary care provider (PCP; RR, 0.821; p = 0.018), and lived in census tracts with low supermarket access (RR, 0.764; p = 0.038) had a lower relative risk of presenting for urgent cholecystectomy. Only age (RR, 1.066; p < 0.001), female gender (RR, 0.227; p < 0.001), and having a PCP (RR, 1.984; p = 0.034) were associated with presentation for interval cholecystectomy. Conclusions: Patients who were older, black, and living in census tracts with high poverty levels had a higher relative risk of presenting for urgent cholecystectomy at our institution, whereas females and patients with PCPs were more likely to undergo elective cholecystectomy. Improved access to primary care and surgical clinics for all patients at safety-net hospitals may result in improved outcomes in the management of benign gallstone disease by increasing diagnosis and treatment in the elective setting.

The invisible scars: Unseen financial complications worsen every aspect of long-term health in trauma survivors.

BACKGROUND: Trauma survivors are susceptible to experiencing financial toxicity (FT). Studies have shown the negative impact of FT on chronic illness outcomes. However, there is a notable lack of data on FT in the context of trauma. We aimed to better understand prevalence, risk factors, and impact of FT on trauma long-term outcomes. METHODS: Adult trauma patients with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥9 treated at Level I trauma centers were interviewed 6 months to 14 months after discharge. Financial toxicity was considered positive if patients reported any of the following due to the injury: income loss, lack of care, newly applied/qualified for governmental assistance, new financial problems, or work loss. The Impact of FT on Patient Reported Outcome Measure Index System (PROMIS) health domains was investigated. RESULTS: Of 577 total patients, 44% (254/567) suffered some form of FT. In the adjusted model, older age (odds ratio [OR], 0.4; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.2-0.81) and stronger social support networks (OR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.26-0.74) were protective against FT. In contrast, having two or more comorbidities (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.01-3.28), lower education levels (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 95%, 1.26-3.03), and injury mechanisms, including road accidents (OR, 2.69; 95% CI, 1.51-4.77) and intentional injuries (OR, 4.31; 95% CI, 1.44-12.86) were associated with higher toxicity. No significant relationship was found with ISS, sex, or single-family household. Patients with FT had worse outcomes across all domains of health. There was a negative linear relationship between the severity of FT and worse mental and physical health scores. CONCLUSION: Financial toxicity is associated with long-term outcomes. Incorporating FT risk assessment into recovery care planning may help to identify patients most in need of mitigative interventions across the trauma care continuum to improve trauma recovery. Further investigations to better understand, define, and address FT in trauma care are warranted. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic and Epidemiological; Level III.

Timing to First Whole Blood Transfusion and Survival Following Severe Hemorrhage in Trauma Patients.

Importance: Civilian trauma centers have revived interest in whole-blood (WB) resuscitation for patients with life-threatening bleeding. However, there remains insufficient evidence that the timing of WB transfusion when given as an adjunct to a massive transfusion protocol (MTP) is associated with a difference in patient survival outcome. Objective: To evaluate whether earlier timing of first WB transfusion is associated with improved survival at 24 hours and 30 days for adult trauma patients presenting with severe hemorrhage. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study used the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program databank from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2020, for adult patients presenting to US and Canadian adult civilian level 1 and 2 trauma centers with systolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg, with shock index greater than 1, and requiring MTP who received a WB transfusion within the first 24 hours of emergency department (ED) arrival. Patients with burns, prehospital cardiac arrest, deaths within 1 hour of ED arrival, and interfacility transfers were excluded. Data were analyzed from January 3 to October 2, 2023. Exposure: Patients who received WB as an adjunct to MTP (earlier) compared with patients who had yet to receive WB as part of MTP (later) at any given time point within 24 hours of ED arrival. Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary outcomes were survival at 24 hours and 30 days. Results: A total of 1394 patients met the inclusion criteria (1155 male [83%]; median age, 39 years [IQR, 25-51 years]). The study cohort included profoundly injured patients (median Injury Severity Score, 27 [IQR, 17-35]). A survival curve demonstrated a difference in survival within 1 hour of ED presentation and WB transfusion. Whole blood transfusion as an adjunct to MTP given earlier compared with later at each time point was associated with improved survival at 24 hours (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.22-0.73; P = .003). Similarly, the survival benefit of earlier WB transfusion remained present at 30 days (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.22-0.45; P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study, receipt of a WB transfusion earlier at any time point within the first 24 hours of ED arrival was associated with improved survival in patients presenting with severe hemorrhage. The survival benefit was noted shortly after transfusion. The findings of this study are clinically important as the earlier timing of WB administration may offer a survival advantage in actively hemorrhaging patients requiring MTP.

Re-thinking the value of cross-sectional torso imaging for ground-level fall patients with altered mental status: Outcomes from a level 1 trauma center.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with altered mental status (AMS) are often excluded from studies evaluating the utility of computed tomography of the torso (CTT) after ground level falls (GLF). It is not known whether CTT identifies otherwise undetectable injuries in patients with AMS after GLF. We sought to describe the value of performing CTT in patients with AMS after GLF, and hypothesized that CTT would not identify new, clinically significant injuries in patients with a normal torso physical exam (PE) and normal chest and pelvic radiographs (CXR/PXR). METHODS: Single-institution retrospective cohort study of GLF patients (≤1 m) with and without AMS (GCS <15, blood alcohol level >150 mg/dL, intubation prior to hospital evaluation), 2015-2019. Traumatic injury identification on CTT was evaluated in the context of normal/abnormal torso PE (based on provider documentation) and normal CXR/PXR. RESULTS: 1195 patients met inclusion criteria; 344 had AMS, of which 129 (37.5 %) underwent CTT. A further 851 patients had normal mental status, of which 180 (21.2 %) underwent CTT. Patients with a normal PE with AMS (N = 79) and without AMS (N = 38) had a similar rate of new injury discovery on CTT (6.3% vs. 7.9 %, p = 1.00). Negative PE had a negative predictive value (NPV) for identification of a new, acute traumatic injury of 92.4 % (95 % CI: 0.84-0.96) in patients with AMS while normal PE, CXR, and PXR had a NPV of 96.0 % (95 % CI: 0.80-0.99). Among patients with CTT, patients with AMS had a significantly lower rate of acute traumatic injury on CTT compared to alert patients (26.4 % vs. 48.9 %, p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, AMS was not positively associated with likelihood of identifying acute traumatic injury on CTT. CONCLUSIONS: In patients sustaining GLFs who present with AMS and who otherwise have a negative PE, CXR, and PXR, CTT is very unlikely to identify new traumatic injuries. Strong consideration should be given to forego cross-sectional imaging in this patient population.

Death by the minute: Inequities in trauma care for victims of firearm violence.

BACKGROUND: Gunshot wounds (GSWs) remain a significant source of mortality in the United States. Timely delivery of trauma care is known to be critical for survival. We sought to understand the relationship of predicted transport time and death after GSW. Given large racial disparities in firearm violence, we also sought to understand disparities in transport times and death by victim race, an unstudied phenomenon. METHODS: Firearm mortality data were obtained from the Boston Police Department 2005 to 2023. Firearm incidents were mapped using ArcGIS. Predicted transport times for each incident to the closest trauma center were calculated in ArcGIS. Spatial autoregressive models were used to understand the relationship between victim race, transport time to a trauma center, and mortality associated with the shooting incidents. RESULTS: There were 4,545 shooting victims with 758 deaths. Among those who lived, the median transport time was 9.4 minutes (interquartile range, 5.8-13.8) and 10.5 minutes (interquartile range, 6.4-14.6; p = 0.003) for those who died. In the multivariable logistic regression, increased transport time to the nearest trauma center (odds ratio, 1.024; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.04) and age (odds ratio, 1.016; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.02) were associated with mortality. There was a modest difference in median transport time to the nearest trauma center by race with non-Hispanic Black at 10.1 minutes, Black Hispanic 9.2 minutes, White Hispanic 8.5 minutes, and non-Hispanic White 8.3 minutes ( p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results highlight the relationship of transport time to a trauma center and death after a GSW. Non-White individuals had significantly longer transport times to a trauma center and predicted mortality would have been lower with White victim transport times. These data underscore the importance of timely trauma care for GSW victims and can be used to direct more equitable trauma systems. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic/Epidemiological; Level III.

A Pathway for Increased Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Surgical Infection Society.

Background: With the rise of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts across medicine, the Surgical Infection Society (SIS) leadership undertook a several-year mission to evaluate DEI issues within the SIS, through the formation of a DEI Ad Hoc Committee to guide the application of best practices. The purpose of this article is to describe the work of the DEI committee since its inception, as well as report on advances made during that time. Methods: Beginning in September 2020, 26 volunteer committee members met monthly to explore the current state of science and best practices around DEI, identify opportunities for the SIS, and translate opportunities into recommendations. As part of this initiative, a survey of the SIS membership was conducted. Survey results, published best practices from business and medicine, and experiences of committee members were utilized collaboratively to outline specific opportunities and recommendations. These findings were presented to the SIS Executive Council and to the membership at the SIS Annual Business Meeting. Results: Committee-identified opportunities and recommendations fell into broad categories of Membership, Leadership and Society Structure, the Annual Meeting, and Research Priorities. Several recommendations were immediately enacted, and a standing DEI committee was established to continue this work. Conclusions: Beyond the main mission of the SIS to advance the science of surgical infections, the SIS can also have a major impact on DEI within society and academic surgery at large.

Loss of independence after traumatic injury: A patient-centered study.

BACKGROUND: Patient-reported outcomes of postdischarge functional status can provide insight into patient recovery experiences not typically reflected in trauma registries. Injuries may be characterized by a long-term loss of independence. We sought to examine factors predictive of patient-reported, postdischarge loss of independence in trauma patients. METHODS: Trauma patients admitted to 1 of 3 level I trauma centers were contacted by phone between 6 to 12 months after hospital discharge to complete the Revised Trauma Quality of Life survey. Loss of independence was defined as a new need for assistance with at least one activity of daily living or transition to living in an institutional setting. Patients with severe traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury were excluded. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of loss of independence. RESULTS: 801 patients were included. The median age was 65 (interquartile range: 46-76) years, 46.1% were female, and the median Injury Severity Score was 9 (interquartile range: 9-13). Two hundred seventy-one patients (33.8%) experienced a loss of independence, most commonly requiring assistance walking up stairs. The main predictors of loss of independence were persistent daily pain (odds ratio: 3.83, 95% confidence interval: [2.90-5.04], P < .001), length of hospital stay (odds ratio: 1.04, 95% confidence interval: [1.01-1.09], P = .021) and income below the national median (odds ratio: 1.46, 95% confidence interval: [1.12-1.91], P = .006). Perceived social support (odds ratio: 0.75, 95% confidence interval: [0.66-0.85], P < .001) was protective against loss of independence. CONCLUSION: Injury is associated with a relatively high rate of long-term loss of independence. Ensuring adequate social support systems for patients postdischarge may help them regain functional independence after injury.

A tale of two cities: Policing and firearm homicides in Boston and Philadelphia.

BACKGROUND: Recent political movements have raised questions about the effectiveness of police funding, but the impact of law enforcement budgets on firearm violence is unknown. We hypothesized that department funding and measures of police activity would be associated with decreased shootings and firearm homicides (FHs) in two major cities with different police funding patterns. METHODS: We collected data from the following sources: district attorney's offices, police departments, Federal Bureau of Investigation Uniform Crime Reporting program, the Centers for Disease Control, the Annual Survey of Public Employment and Payroll, and the American Community Survey. Data included demographics, police department budgets, number of officers, homicide clearance rates, firearms recovered, shootings, and FHs, 2015 to 2020. Totals were normalized to population and number of shootings. We used panel linear regression to measure associations between policing variables, shootings, and FHs while adjusting for covariates. RESULTS: Firearm homicides significantly increased in Philadelphia. In Boston, the trend was less clear, although there was an increase in 2020. Police budget normalized to shootings trended toward a decrease in Philadelphia and an increase in Boston. The number of firearms recovered annually appeared to increase in Boston but peaked midstudy in Philadelphia. In multivariable analyses, police budget was associated with neither shootings nor FHs. However, increased firearm recovery was associated with lower shooting ( ß = -0.0004, p = 0.022) and FH ( ß = -0.00005, p = 0.004) rates. CONCLUSION: Philadelphia and Boston demonstrated differences in police funding, 2015 to 2020. While budget is not associated with shootings or FHs, firearm recovery is suggesting that removal of firearms from circulation remains key. The impact this has on vulnerable populations requires further investigation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic and Epidemiological; Level IV.