The Effect of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma Guideline on Spinal Magnetic Resonance Imaging Use in Obtunded Adult Blunt Trauma Patients Over Time.

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based guidelines suggest computed tomography without magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is sufficient to rule out clinically significant cervical spine injury in obtunded adult blunt trauma patients. This study evaluated MRI utilization over time to investigate the impact of the 2015 Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma guidelines suggesting cervical collar clearance with computed tomography alone in this population. We hypothesized that MRI utilization would decrease following the guidelines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study of the National Trauma Data Bank from 2007 to 2018 using multivariable logistic regression of the likelihood of spinal MRI utilization. Blunt trauma patients 18 y and older with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 8 or less, Abbreviated Injury Score head of 4 or greater, intubated for at least 72 h were included. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 76,450 patients from 567 trauma centers. Controlling for age, gender, race/ethnicity, insurance status, injury mechanism, Injury Severity Score, GCS, GCS motor, hospital teaching status and trauma center level, patients seen after 2015 had a higher odds ratio (OR) of undergoing spinal MRI relative to those seen before 2015 (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.49-2.09; P < 0.001). Each year was associated with a significantly increased OR of undergoing spinal MRI compared to the year prior (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.05-1.15; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Spinal MRI use has been increasing in obtunded adult blunt trauma patients including after the release of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma guidelines in 2015. Future work should identify whether this is driven by improper MRI utilization and, if so, strategies to promote guideline adherence.

"We're playing on the same team": Communication (dis)connections between trauma patients and surgical residents.

BACKGROUND: Patient-physician communication is key to better clinical outcomes and patient well-being. Communication between trauma patients and their physicians remains relatively unexplored. We aimed to identify and characterize the range of strengths and challenges in patient-physician communication in the setting of trauma care. METHODS: A qualitative, grounded theory approach was used to explore communication strengths and challenges for patients and residents. Patients previously admitted to the trauma service for violent injuries were recruited and interviewed in-person during their trauma clinic appointments. Surgical residents were recruited via email and interviewed virtually via Zoom. Anonymous, semistructured interviews were conducted until thematic saturation was reached. RESULTS: Twenty-nine interviews with patients and 14 interviews with residents were conducted. Patients reported feeling ignored and misunderstood and having inadequate communication with physicians. Residents cited lack of time, patients' lack of health literacy, differences in background, and emotional responses to trauma as barriers to effective communication with patients. Patients and residents reported an understanding of each other's stressors, similar emotional experiences regarding traumatic stress, and a desire to communicate with each other in greater depth both inside and outside of the hospital. CONCLUSION: Trauma patients and residents can feel disconnected due to the lack of time for thorough communication and differences in background; however, they understand each other's stressors and share similar emotional responses regarding trauma and a desire for increased communication, connection, and solidarity. Leveraging these shared values to guide interventions, such as a resident curriculum, may help bridge disconnects and improve their communication. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/Care Management; Level IV.

Violence Against Black Lives Matter Protestors: a Review.

Purpose of Review: The Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests against racialized police violence represents the most prolific mass social movement in modern times. It has been met by sustained and repressive violence by state authorities and right-wing groups. This review seeks to synthesize existing scholarly, journalistic, case report, and crowd sourced data on violence directed against BLM protestors. Recent Findings: Data from various sources suggests that police disproportionately target BLM protests for violent intervention. There is also mounting evidence of organized and vigilante right-wing violence targeting BLM protestors. While police frequently use chemical irritants and projectiles, right-wing protestors often use car ramming to bluntly injure protestors. The true scale and nature of injuries affecting BLM protestors remains unknown though injuries resulting in the need for intensive care, operative intervention, permanent morbidity, and mortality have been reported. Summary: State and conservative civilian violence against BLM protestors represents an ongoing threat to the right to organize and publicly dissent. The use of force manifested by police and right-wing groups against BLM protestors resulted in significant injury and mortality.

Salvage Resection After Immunotherapy in Refractory Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma.

A 78-year old man presenting with epithelial malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) underwent multidisciplinary review at our institution. We offered surgical resection with adjuvant chemotherapy, but the patient declined. After 6 months, his disease progressed, and he opted for dual immunotherapy with ipilimumab and nivolumab; however, pneumonitis developed after treatment initiation. Immunosuppression controlled the pneumonitis, but his MPM progressed, so salvage surgical resection was offered. Left extrapleural pneumonectomy was successfully performed with an unremarkable recovery. Final pathology revealed stage III biphasic mesothelioma. This report demonstrates the feasibility of salvage resection for progression of MPM after immunotherapy.

Treating an Epidemic During a Pandemic: Experience Treating Opioid Use Disorder at the Baltimore Convention Center Field Hospital.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, access to addiction treatment has plummeted. At the same time, patients with opioid use disorder are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection and experience worse outcomes. The Baltimore Convention Center Field Hospital (BCCFH), a state-run COVID-19 disaster hospital operated by Johns Hopkins Medicine and the University of Maryland Medical System, continues to operate 14 months into the pandemic to serve as an overflow unit for the state's hospitals. BCCFH staff observed the demand for opioid use disorder care and developed admission criteria, a pharmacy formulary, and case management procedures to meet this need. This article describes generalized lessons from the BCCFH experience treating substance use disorder during a pandemic.