Trauma Teams That Train as One Work as One: Invasive Procedure Training in Residency Education.

BACKGROUND: Invasive surgical procedures occur infrequently in an emergency department setting; however, procedural competence is expected from trauma residents. Emergent procedures are challenging to train in a formal manner because of the urgent nature when they present. To supplement education, new and creative teaching tools such as simulation and multidisciplinary training are being used. Our study organized a multidisciplinary simulated learning workshop with surgery and emergency medicine residents for invasive, emergent procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 14 surgical and 36 emergency medicine residents at our institution participated in a simulated learning experience. Ten workshops were organized, with six to seven residents participating in each session. Using a human cadaveric model, all residents were taught by senior-level residents and attendings from both specialties on how to perform uncommonly or anatomically challenging emergent invasive procedures. A pre- and post-laboratory survey was completed by all the residents to assess confidence in performing each of the 13 procedures. RESULTS: All residents (N = 50), who participated in the study, completed pre- and post-laboratory surveys. Comparison of the pre- and post-laboratory confidence levels indicated significant increases in confidence in performing all procedures. Residents stated that this multidisciplinary approach to education in a controlled setting was helpful and fostered a collaborative relationship between both specialties. CONCLUSIONS: Although some surgical procedures remain uncommon in the emergency department, competency is nevertheless expected for appropriate patient care. Using a collaborative simulation-based cadaver laboratory to teach emergent procedures significantly improved residents' confidence while concurrently fostering professional relationships.

Single center protocol driven care in 150 patients with gastroschisis 1998-2017: collaboration improves results.

PURPOSE: The treatment of gastroschisis (GS) using our collaborative clinical pathway, with immediate attempted abdominal closure and bowel irrigation with a mucolytic agent, was reviewed. METHODS: A retrospective review of the past 20 years of our clinical pathway was performed on neonates with GS repair at our institution. The clinical treatment includes attempted complete reduction of GS defect within 2 h of birth. In the operating room, the bowel is evaluated and irrigated with mucolytic agent to evacuate the meconium and decompress the bowel. No incision is made and a neo-umbilicus is created. Clinical outcomes following closure were assessed. RESULTS: 150 babies with gastroschisis were reviewed: 109 (77%) with a primary repair, 33 (23%) with a spring-loaded silo repair. 8 babies had a delayed closure and were not included in the statistical analysis. Successful primary repair and time to closure had a significant relationship with all outcome variables-time to extubation, days to initiate feeds, days to full feeds, and length of stay. CONCLUSION: Early definitive closure of the abdominal defect with mucolytic bowel irrigation shortens time to first feeds, total TPN use, time to extubation, and length of stay.

Engaging the patient and family in the surgical safety process utilizing.

BACKGROUND: Owing to the vulnerable nature of children, parental/caregiver engagement in surgical safety is a crucial aspect of care. Historically, the surgical safety process has been isolated from parent involvement. The digital, tablet-based surgical safety application, SafeStart, requires parent participation and provides multiple instances of verification of patient safety information from preoperative clinic visit, to perioperative care, and into the operating room. METHOD: The SafeStart application was utilized for 100 pediatric general surgery patients in an IRB approved prospective study. Parent assessments of the surgical consent and safety processes were collected in pre- and postoperative surveys with a 100% response rate. Standard consent forms were used and compared as a control. RESULTS: Only 31% of parents had knowledge of the surgical safety checklist process prior to their exposure to the study. 96% of the parents reported that the SafeStart patient portal was easy to use. A majority would prefer SafeStart to the standard consent process. CONCLUSION: The SafeStart program connected the surgical safety process from the preoperative clinic visit through postoperative care. Parent's preferred SafeStart to the standard surgical safety checklist and consent process, felt that they were instrumental in protecting their child's safety, and would recommend SafeStart for the surgical care of others. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

A simple algorithm to improve quality while reducing resource utilization in evaluation of suspected appendicitis in children.

BACKGROUND: With similar effectiveness of ultrasonography, our institution replaced CT imaging with ultrasound for diagnosing appendicitis in children. An unexpected consequence was the overutilization of ultrasound. Our objective was to establish measures that could help prevent this overuse. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 327 consecutive pediatric patients evaluated for appendicitis between October 2014 and September 2015 at our institution was performed. Data on clinical, radiographic, and histopathologic findings were reviewed. Diagnostic accuracy of US and white blood cell (WBC) values was determined. An algorithm was created. RESULTS: 327 (100%) patients received an ultrasound for suspected appendicitis. WBC of 10,000/µl was determined to be the primary discriminant for management and ultrasound utilization. If a WBC ≥10,000/µL had been utilized as criteria for imaging, 49.5% fewer patients would have received an ultrasound. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical exam, WBC count, and surgery consultation prior to ultrasonography can lessen then need for ultrasound utilization in children with suspected appendicitis.

Treatment of subcutaneous abscesses in children with incision and loop drainage: A simplified method of care.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to expand on our previous report of 115 patients after more than a decade-long experience using incision and loop drainage for pediatric subcutaneous abscess management. This report comprises the largest consecutive series of pediatric abscess patients from a single institution ever recorded. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed of all pediatric patients who underwent incision and loop drainage of subcutaneous abscesses at our institution between January 2002 and December 2014. TECHNIQUE: Two sub 5mm incisions were made at the periphery on the abscess. The abscess cavity was probed to break down loculations and drain pus. The abscess cavity was irrigated with normal saline. A loop drain was passed through one incision and brought out through the other. A simple absorbent dressing was applied over the drain. RESULTS: Five hundred seventy-six consecutive patients underwent loop drainage procedures. Mean values are as follows: age, 3.84years; duration of symptoms, 6.17days; postoperative length of stay (with 4 outliers excluded), 0.69days; drain duration, 8.38days; and number of postoperative visits, 1.28. Twenty-six patients had reoperations (4.5%), 2 of which were planned staged excisions of pilonidal cysts and 1 because of accidental home removal. CONCLUSIONS: Micro-incisions and loop drainage is a safe and effective treatment modality for subcutaneous abscesses in children. The findings eliminate the need for repetitive wound packing and simplify postoperative wound care. Loop drainage offers shorter time to discharge, lower recurrence rates, and minimal scarring. Additionally, there is expected cost reduction. We recommend this minimally invasive procedure to be the standard of care for subcutaneous abscesses in children. TYPE OF STUDY: Treatment study - retrospective review. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV - case series with no comparison group.