Publication Inaccuracies Listed in General Surgery Residency Training Program Applications.

BACKGROUND: Professionalism is a core competency that is difficult to assess. We examined the incidence of publication inaccuracies in Electronic Residency Application Service applications to our training program as potential indicators of unprofessional behavior. STUDY DESIGN: We reviewed all 2019-2020 National Resident Matching Program applicants being considered for interview. Applicant demographic characteristics recorded included standardized examination scores, gender, medical school, and medical school ranking (2019 US News & World Report). Publication verification by a medical librarian was performed for peer-reviewed journal articles/abstracts, peer-reviewed book chapters, and peer-reviewed online publications. Inaccuracies were classified as "nonserious" (eg incorrect author order without author rank promotion) or "serious" (eg miscategorization, non-peer-reviewed journal, incorrect author order with author rank promotion, nonauthorship of cited existing publication, and unverifiable publication). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed for demographic characteristics to identify predictors of overall inaccuracy and serious inaccuracy. RESULTS: Of 319 applicants, 48 (15%) had a total of 98 inaccuracies; after removing nonserious inaccuracies, 37 (12%) with serious inaccuracies remained. Seven publications were reported in predatory open access journals. In the regression model, none of the variables (US vs non-US medical school, gender, or medical school ranking) were significantly associated with overall inaccuracy or serious inaccuracy. CONCLUSIONS: One in 8 applicants (12%) interviewing at a general surgery residency program were found to have a serious inaccuracy in publication reporting on their Electronic Residency Application Service application. These inaccuracies might represent inattention to detail or professionalism transgressions.

Analysis of water sports injuries admitted to a pediatric trauma center: a 13 year experience.

BACKGROUND: Unintentional injury is the leading cause of death in children and adolescents. Injuries occurring during boating and recreational water sports are poorly described in the literature. Herein, we compare injuries from water sports to those resulting from motor vehicle collisions, which are better described in existing literature. METHODS: A retrospective review of 1935 consecutive pediatric trauma patients, as defined by age < 18 years, admitted to a single level-1 pediatric trauma center between January 2000 and August 2013 was performed. Patients were divided into two cohorts based on the mechanism of injury: water sports injury (WSI) or motor vehicle collision (MVC). Demographics, injury descriptors, and outcomes were reviewed for each patient. Categorical variables were compared by Chi square or Fisher's exact test, and continuous by t test or Mann-Whitney U test. Parametric data are reported as mean ± standard deviation and nonparametric as median (interquartile range). Significance was set at alpha level 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 18 pediatric patients were admitted for WSI and 615 for MVC during the study period. Among those with WSI, mean age was 12 ± 4 years, mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 11 ± 10, and mean Revised Trauma Score (RTS) was 7.841(IQR 6.055-7.841). 44% of WSI occurred by personal watercraft (Jet Ski, WaveRunner), 39% by boat, and 17% by other means (e.g., diving, tubing, kite surfing). Overall, the most common WSI included skin/soft-tissue lacerations (59%), head injury/concussion (33%), tendon/ligament lacerations (28%), and extremity fractures (28%). Compared to 615 patients admitted for MVC, age, sex, race, Glasgow Coma Scale, ISS, RTS, spleen and liver laceration rates, neurosurgical consultation, ICU admission, ICU and total length of stay, and mortality were similar. Patients with WSI were more likely to be tourists (44% vs. 5%, p < 0.001). Those with WSI showed a significantly higher requirement for any surgical intervention (61% vs. 15%, p = 0.001). The rate of open fracture (28% vs. 6%, p = 0.006) and, subsequently, orthopedic procedures (39% vs. 17%, p = 0.027) were also higher in the WSI group. CONCLUSION: Overall, water sports injuries are similar in in-hospital mortality to motor vehicle collisions. They are more likely to result in penetrating trauma and more likely to require surgical intervention. Primary and secondary prevention strategies should specifically target personal watercraft usage and tourist populations.

Effectiveness of a Perioperative Transthoracic Ultrasound Training Program for Students and Residents.

OBJECTIVE: Focused ultrasound (US) is being incorporated across all levels of medical education. Although many comprehensive US courses exist, their scope is broad, requiring expert instructors, access to simulation, and extensive time commitment by the learner. We aim to compare learning across levels of training and specialties using a goal-directed, web-based course without live skills training. DESIGN: A prospective observational study of students and residents from medicine, surgery, and anesthesiology. Analysis compared pretests and posttests assessing 3 competencies. Individual mean score improvement (MSI) was compared by paired-sample t-tests and MSI among cohorts by analysis of variance, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. McNemar test compared those who agreed or strongly agreed with survey items with those who did not before and after intervention. SETTING: Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL residency training programs in Medicine, Surgery, and Anesthesiology. RESULTS: A total of 180 trainees participated. A significant MSI was noted in each of 3 competencies in all 3 cohorts. Students' (S) MSI was significantly higher than residents' (R) and interns' (I) in US "knobology" and window recognition [S = 2.28 ± 1.29/5 vs R = 1.63 ± 1.21/5 (p = 0.014); vs I = 1.59 ± 1.12/5 (p = 0.032)]; students' total score MSI was significantly higher than residents [7.60 ± 3.43/20 vs 5.78 ± 3.08/20 (p < 0.008)]. All cohorts reported improved comfort in using transthoracic US and improved ability to recognize indications for use. More than 81% of all participants reported improved confidence in performing transthoracic US; more than 91% reported interest in additional training; and more than 88% believed course length was appropriate. CONCLUSIONS: Learners across levels of medical training and specialties can benefit from a brief, goal-directed, web-based training with early incorporation producing maximal yield.

Mechanism of Injury May Influence Infection Risk from Early Blood Transfusion.

BACKGROUND: Blood transfusion is a known risk factor for infection in trauma patients. Differences based on mechanism of injury have not been well described. We hypothesize that infection risk in trauma patients with early blood transfusion is different based on blunt or penetrating mechanism of injury. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Adults admitted to the trauma intensive care unit from January 2010 through January 2015 were reviewed retrospectively. Those receiving transfusion after 24 h were excluded. Infections were defined as positive bronchoalveolar lavage, blood, urine, wound, or abdominal cultures. Logistic regression identified independent predictors of infection. Significance was considered at p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: With blunt trauma (n = 625), the transfusion rate was 36% (n = 223), with 30% (n = 186) infections. Those with an infection were more severely injured, had a higher operation rate, lower Glasgow Coma Score (GCS), longer hospital stay, and higher transfusion rate (all p < 0.001). With penetrating trauma (n = 292), the transfusion rate was 54% (n = 159), with 26% (n = 77) infections. Those with an infection were older, more severely injured, had a higher operation rate, lower GCS, longer length of stay, and higher transfusion rate (all p < 0.01). Controlling for age, injury severity score (ISS), revised trauma score (RTS), GCS, and hospital stay, transfusion was an independent predictor of infection in patients with blunt (odds ratio: 2.1, 95% confidence intervals: 1.272-3.393, p = 0.003) but not penetrating trauma. CONCLUSIONS: Early blood transfusion increases infection risk in blunt but not penetrating trauma.

Association of Mechanism of Injury With Risk for Venous Thromboembolism After Trauma.

Importance: To date, no study has assessed whether the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) varies with blunt or penetrating trauma. Objective: To test whether the mechanism of injury alters risk of VTE after trauma. Design, Setting, and Participants: A retrospective database review was conducted of adults admitted to the intensive care unit of an American College of Surgeons-verified level I trauma center between August 1, 2011, and January 1, 2015, with blunt or penetrating injuries. Univariate and multivariable analyses identified independent predictors of VTE. Main Outcomes and Measures: Differences in risk factors for VTE with blunt vs penetrating trauma. Results: In 813 patients with blunt trauma (mean [SD] age, 47 [19] years) and 324 patients with penetrating trauma (mean [SD] age, 35 [15] years), the rate of VTE was 9.1% overall (104 of 1137) and similar between groups (blunt trauma, 9% [n = 73] vs penetrating trauma, 9.6% [n = 31]; P = .76). In the blunt trauma group, more patients with VTE than without VTE had abnormal coagulation results (49.3% vs 35.7%; P = .02), femoral catheters (9.6% vs 3.9%; P = .03), repair and/or ligation of vascular injury (15.1% vs 5.4%; P = .001), complex leg fractures (34.2% vs 18.5%; P = .001), Glasgow Coma Scale score less than 8 (31.5% vs 10.7%; P < .001), 4 or more transfusions (51.4% vs 17.6%; P < .001), operation time longer than 2 hours (35.6% vs 16.4%; P < .001), and pelvic fractures (43.8% vs 21.4%; P < .001); patients with VTE also had higher mean (SD) Greenfield Risk Assessment Profile scores (13 [6] vs 8 [4]; P ≤ .001). However, with multivariable analysis, only receiving 4 or more transfusions (odds ratio [OR], 3.47; 95% CI, 2.04-5.91), Glasgow Coma Scale score less than 8 (OR, 2.75; 95% CI, 1.53-4.94), and pelvic fracture (OR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.23-3.55) predicted VTE, with an area under the receiver operator curve of 0.730. In the penetrating trauma group, more patients with VTE than without VTE had abnormal coagulation results (64.5% vs 44.4%; P = .03), femoral catheters (16.1% vs 5.5%; P = .02), repair and/or ligation of vascular injury (54.8% vs 25.3%; P < .001), 4 or more transfusions (74.2% vs 39.6%; P < .001), operation time longer than 2 hours (74.2% vs 50.5%; P = .01), Abbreviated Injury Score for the abdomen greater than 2 (64.5% vs 42.3%; P = .02), and were aged 40 to 59 years (41.9% vs 23.2%; P = .02); patients with VTE also had higher mean (SD) Greenfield Risk Assessment Profile scores (12 [4] vs 7 [4]; P < .001). However, with multivariable analysis, only repair and/or ligation of vascular injury (OR, 3.32; 95% CI, 1.37-8.03), Abbreviated Injury Score for the abdomen greater than 2 (OR, 2.77; 95% CI, 1.19-6.45), and age 40 to 59 years (OR, 2.69; 95% CI, 1.19-6.08) predicted VTE, with an area under the receiver operator curve of 0.760. Conclusions and Relevance: Although rates of VTE are the same in patients who experienced blunt and penetrating trauma, the independent risk factors for VTE are different based on mechanism of injury. This finding should be a consideration when contemplating prophylactic treatment protocols.

Predictors of mortality in pediatric trauma: experiences of a level 1 trauma center and an assessment of the International Classification Injury Severity Score (ICISS).

OBJECTIVES: Injury severity scoring tools allow systematic comparison of outcomes in trauma research and quality improvement by indexing an expected mortality risk for certain injuries. This study investigated the predictive value of the empirically derived ICD9-derived Injury Severity Score (ICISS) compared to expert consensus-derived scoring systems for trauma mortality in a pediatric population. METHODS: 1935 consecutive trauma patients aged <18 years from 1/2000 to 12/2012 were reviewed. Mechanism of injury (MOI), Injury Severity Score (ISS), Revised Trauma Score (RTS), Trauma Score ISS (TRISS), and ICISS were compared using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis and receiver operator characteristic analysis. RESULTS: The population was a median age of 11 ± 6 year, 70 % male, and 76 % blunt injury. Median ISS 13 ± 12 and overall mortality 3.5 %. Independent predictors of mortality were initial hematocrit [odds ratio (OR) 0.83 (0.73-0.95)], HCO3 [OR 0.82 (0.67-0.98)], Glasgow Coma Scale score [OR 0.75 (0.62-0.90)], and ISS [OR 1.10 (1.04-1.15)]. TRISS was superior to ICISS in predicting survival [area under receiver operator curve: 0.992 (0.982-1.000) vs 0.888 (0.838-0.938)]. CONCLUSIONS: ICISS was inferior to existing injury scoring tools at predicting mortality in pediatric trauma patients.