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Akinkugbe O, Saxena R, Ramnarayan P. Comparison of Specialist and Nonspecialist Transport Teams for Emergency Neurosurgery. Pediatr Emerg Care 2023; 39:173-178. [PMID: 36083193 DOI: 10.1097/pec.0000000000002844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Current guidance in the United Kingdom recommends that children requiring emergency neurosurgical intervention should be transported by referring hospital (RH) teams. We aimed to compare transports performed by RH teams and by specialized pediatric critical care transport (PCCTs) teams in terms of timings and patient outcomes. METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis over a 5-year period of children admitted from an external hospital to the pediatric intensive care unit at a pediatric neurosurgical center and receiving emergency neurosurgery within 24 hours of admission. Data were collected on RH characteristics, patient demographics, clinical status, transfer method (RH or PCCT team), timings (arrival at neurosurgical center, neurosurgical procedure), and clinical outcomes (length of stay and mortality). Univariate analysis was used to compare patient characteristics, times, and outcomes between RH and PCCT team transfers. Survival analysis was performed to analyze arrival time by transfer modality. RESULTS During the study period, 75 children with acute neurosurgical emergencies were transferred. Median age was 6.7 years (interquartile range, 1.8-10.7), and 63% had nontraumatic diagnoses. The commonest mode of transfer was by RH teams after initial referral to a PCCT team (53.3%). The median distance was greatest for transfers by RH teams (14 km). Overall median arrival time was 5 hours (interquartile range, 3.6-7.4) with no significant difference between groups ( P = 0.3). Median length of pediatric intensive care unit stay and mortality did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS Specialist critical care transport teams are involved in one third of transfers of children with acute neurosurgical emergencies. While the overriding priority is timely transfer, a tailored approach to the use of PCCTs may be appropriate particularly for children presenting to hospitals nearer to neurosurgical centers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Romit Saxena
- From the Children's Acute Transport Service (CATS), Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
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Riphagen S, Bird R. Ventilatory management of critically ill children in the emergency setting, during transport and retrieval. Paediatr Anaesth 2022; 32:330-339. [PMID: 34865291 DOI: 10.1111/pan.14358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Critical illness in children is uncommon. The acute stabilization and resuscitation of critically ill children remains challenging to even the most experienced operator. Cardiorespiratory illness represents the largest subgroup of diseases causing critical illness and, thus adds a layer of complexity and additional challenge to the safe intubation and establishment of effective ventilation of this group of children. Children have unique physiological and anatomical differences to adults, and present the team involved in their resuscitation and stabilization with challenges exaggerated by critical illness. The consideration of pathophysiological implications of disease and the equipment available during transport and retrieval from the roadside or nonspecialist setting to pediatric intensive care allows the clinician involved in resuscitation, stabilization, and establishment of ventilation to employ targeted strategies to optimize ventilatory success. This review focuses on the types of ventilatory challenges that must be addressed when managing critically ill children in the local settings in which they present, and the resources available to optimize the outcome prior to and during transfer to a higher level of care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ruth Bird
- Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Harvey M, Edmunds S, Ghose A. Transporting critically ill children. ANAESTHESIA & INTENSIVE CARE MEDICINE 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mpaic.2020.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Simulation of the Emergency Department Care Process for Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury. J Healthc Qual 2019; 40:110-118. [PMID: 29271801 DOI: 10.1097/jhq.0000000000000119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The treatment of patients in the emergency department (ED) with severe pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) is challenging, and treatment process strategies that facilitate good outcomes are not well documented. The overall objective of this study was to identify factors that can affect the care process associated with pediatric TBI. This objective was achieved using a discrete-event simulation model of patients with TBI as they progress through the ED treatment process of a Level I trauma center. This model was used to identify areas where the ED length of stay can be reduced. The number of patients arriving at any given time was also varied in the simulation model to observe the impact to bed allocation policies and changes in staff and equipment. The findings showed that implementing changes in the ED (i.e., availability of two computerized tomography scanners, formation of resuscitation teams that included eight staff personnel, and modifying the bed allocation policy) could result in a 17% reduction in the mean ED length of stay. The study outcomes would be of interest to those (e.g., health administrators, health managers, and physicians) who can make decisions related to the treatment process in an ED.
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Kadel R, Evans-Lacko S, Tramarin A, Stopazzolo G. Cost-Effectiveness of Tele-Video-Consultation for the Neuro-Surgical Emergency Management at the General Hospitals in Italy. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:908. [PMID: 30564091 PMCID: PMC6288303 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Neuro-surgical emergencies are serious (long-term disability and high mortality) and costly to the national health services. Tele-medicine intervention can facilitate to reduce this gap. Our study aims to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of tele-video-consultation intervention for the management of neuro-surgical emergencies in the general hospitals. Methods: We retrieved health service data from the tele-consultation service, online tele-medicine database portal and hospital patient registry, between January 2009 and December 2012 and evaluated cost-effectiveness of the tele-video-consultation intervention from an Italian National Health Service perspective. Results: Seventy-five percent of the tele-consultations were completed within 15 min and 90% within 30 min. The average costs were €2,326 in the intervention group and €4,173 in the care as usual group. The intervention avoided 73% potential transfer (saving of 139,916 km travel distance during a 4-years period). The incremental cost-saving per transfer avoided from the tele-medicine intervention was €365. Conclusions: Tele-medicine intervention could be worth investing from the Italian National Health Service perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajendra Kadel
- Personal Social Services Research Unit, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sara Evans-Lacko
- Institute of Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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Use of Telemedicine During Interhospital Transport of Children With Operative Intracranial Hemorrhage. Pediatr Crit Care Med 2018; 19:1033-1038. [PMID: 30134361 DOI: 10.1097/pcc.0000000000001706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To analyze the impact of an intervention of using telemedicine during interhospital transport on time to surgery in children with operative intracranial hemorrhage. DESIGN We performed a retrospective chart review of children with intracranial hemorrhage transferred for emergent neurosurgical intervention between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2016. We identified those patients whose neuroimaging was transmitted via telemedicine to the neurosurgical team prior to arrival at our center and then compared the telemedicine and nontelemedicine groups. Mann-Whitney U and Fisher exact tests were used to compare interval variables and categorical data. SETTING Single-center study performed at Johns Hopkins Hospital. PATIENTS Patients less than or equal to 18 years old transferred for operative intracranial hemorrhage. INTERVENTIONS Pediatric transport implemented routine telemedicine use via departmental smart phones to facilitate transfer of information and imaging and reduce time to definitive care by having surgical services available when needed. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Fifteen children (eight in telemedicine group; seven in nontelemedicine group) met inclusion criteria. Most had extraaxial hemorrhage (87.5% telemedicine group; 85.7% nontelemedicine group; p = 1.0), were intubated pre transport (62.5% telemedicine group; 71.4% nontelemedicine group; p = 1.0), and arrived at our center's trauma bay during night shift or weekend (87.5% telemedicine group; 57.1% nontelemedicine group; p = 0.28). Median trauma bay Glasgow Coma Scale scores did not differ (eight in telemedicine group; seven in nontelemedicine group; p = 0.24). Although nonsignificant, when compared with the nontelemedicine group, the telemedicine group had decreased rates of repeat preoperative neuroimaging (37.5% vs 57%; p = 0.62), shorter median times from trauma bay arrival to surgery (33 min vs 47 min; p = 0.22) and from diagnosis to surgery (146.5 min vs 157 min; p = 0.45), shorter intensive care stay (2.5 vs 5 d) and hospitalization (4 vs 5 d), and higher home discharge rates (87.5% vs 57.1%; p = 0.28). CONCLUSIONS Telemedicine use during interhospital transport appears to expedite definitive care for children with intracranial hemorrhage requiring emergent neurosurgical intervention, which could contribute to improved patient outcomes.
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Epidemiology of Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury in a Dense Urban Area Served by a Helicopter Trauma Service. Pediatr Emerg Care 2018; 34:426-430. [PMID: 29851919 DOI: 10.1097/pec.0000000000000845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pediatric traumatic brain injury is the most common cause of death and a major cause of morbidity in children and young adults worldwide. Despite this, our understanding of epidemiological factors relating to this type of injury is incomplete. The objective of this study was to explore a variety of factors relating to these injuries including mechanism, timing of emergency response, prehospital management, radiological diagnosis, neurosurgical care, and final outcomes. METHODS A retrospective review of all pediatric traumas attending a single large, densely populated urban area within a 2-year period was undertaken, and all cases with significant pediatric traumatic brain injury, as defined by a computed tomography scan showing an intracranial injury, were included for further analysis. Various epidemiological and treatment factors were explored. RESULTS One hundred sixteen patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria, and their injuries and management were explored further. A variety of key trends were identified. The most common mechanism of injury was pedestrian struck by car followed by falls from height. Males were injured 5 times more frequently than girls. A helicopter emergency trauma team attended 22% of the patients and intubated 11 in total. The most common intracranial injuries were skull fractures followed by contusions. Nineteen neurosurgical interventions were undertaken. Overall mortality in all patients was 8%. CONCLUSIONS An improved understanding of the epidemiology of pediatric brain injury will provide baselines for future outcome measurement and comparative analysis. This may improve service organization and delivery.
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Dewan MC, Rattani A, Gupta S, Baticulon RE, Hung YC, Punchak M, Agrawal A, Adeleye AO, Shrime MG, Rubiano AM, Rosenfeld JV, Park KB. Estimating the global incidence of traumatic brain injury. J Neurosurg 2018:1-18. [PMID: 29701556 DOI: 10.3171/2017.10.jns17352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1072] [Impact Index Per Article: 178.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 10/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVETraumatic brain injury (TBI)-the "silent epidemic"-contributes to worldwide death and disability more than any other traumatic insult. Yet, TBI incidence and distribution across regions and socioeconomic divides remain unknown. In an effort to promote advocacy, understanding, and targeted intervention, the authors sought to quantify the case burden of TBI across World Health Organization (WHO) regions and World Bank (WB) income groups.METHODSOpen-source epidemiological data on road traffic injuries (RTIs) were used to model the incidence of TBI using literature-derived ratios. First, a systematic review on the proportion of RTIs resulting in TBI was conducted, and a meta-analysis of study-derived proportions was performed. Next, a separate systematic review identified primary source studies describing mechanisms of injury contributing to TBI, and an additional meta-analysis yielded a proportion of TBI that is secondary to the mechanism of RTI. Then, the incidence of RTI as published by the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015 was applied to these two ratios to generate the incidence and estimated case volume of TBI for each WHO region and WB income group.RESULTSRelevant articles and registries were identified via systematic review; study quality was higher in the high-income countries (HICs) than in the low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Sixty-nine million (95% CI 64-74 million) individuals worldwide are estimated to sustain a TBI each year. The proportion of TBIs resulting from road traffic collisions was greatest in Africa and Southeast Asia (both 56%) and lowest in North America (25%). The incidence of RTI was similar in Southeast Asia (1.5% of the population per year) and Europe (1.2%). The overall incidence of TBI per 100,000 people was greatest in North America (1299 cases, 95% CI 650-1947) and Europe (1012 cases, 95% CI 911-1113) and least in Africa (801 cases, 95% CI 732-871) and the Eastern Mediterranean (897 cases, 95% CI 771-1023). The LMICs experience nearly 3 times more cases of TBI proportionally than HICs.CONCLUSIONSSixty-nine million (95% CI 64-74 million) individuals are estimated to suffer TBI from all causes each year, with the Southeast Asian and Western Pacific regions experiencing the greatest overall burden of disease. Head injury following road traffic collision is more common in LMICs, and the proportion of TBIs secondary to road traffic collision is likewise greatest in these countries. Meanwhile, the estimated incidence of TBI is highest in regions with higher-quality data, specifically in North America and Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C Dewan
- 1Global Neurosurgery Initiative, Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine.,2Department of Neurological Surgery, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
| | - Abbas Rattani
- 1Global Neurosurgery Initiative, Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine.,3Meharry Medical College, School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| | | | - Ronnie E Baticulon
- 5University of the Philippines College of Medicine, Philippine General Hospital, Manila, Philippines
| | - Ya-Ching Hung
- 1Global Neurosurgery Initiative, Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine
| | - Maria Punchak
- 1Global Neurosurgery Initiative, Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine.,6David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Amit Agrawal
- 7Department of Neurosurgery, Narayana Medical College, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Amos O Adeleye
- 8Division of Neurological Surgery, Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.,9Department of Neurological Surgery, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Mark G Shrime
- 1Global Neurosurgery Initiative, Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine.,10Office of Global Surgery and Health, Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Andrés M Rubiano
- 11Neurosciences Institute, Neurosurgery Service, El Bosque University, El Bosque Clinic, MEDITECH-INUB Research Group, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Jeffrey V Rosenfeld
- 12Department of Neurosurgery, Alfred Hospital.,14Department of Surgery, F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Kee B Park
- 1Global Neurosurgery Initiative, Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine
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Hayes L, Shaw S, Pearce MS, Forsyth RJ. Requirements for and current provision of rehabilitation services for children after severe acquired brain injury in the UK: a population-based study. Arch Dis Child 2017; 102:813-820. [PMID: 28416561 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2016-312166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Revised: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Survival with brain injury is an outcome of severe illness that may be becoming more common. Provision for children in this situation has received little attention. We sought to estimate rates of severe paediatric acquired brain injury (ABI) requiring rehabilitation and to describe current provision of services for these children in the UK. METHODS This study conducted an analysis of Hospital Episode Statistics data between April 2003 and March 2012, supplemented by a UK provider survey completed in 2015. A probable severe ABI requiring rehabilitation (PSABIR) event was inferred from the co-occurrence of a medical condition likely to cause ABI (such as meningitis) and a prolonged inpatient stay (>=28 days). RESULTS During the period studied, 4508 children aged 1-18 years in England had PSABIRs. Trauma was the most common cause (30%) followed by brain tumours (19%) and anoxia (18.3%). An excess in older males was attributable to trauma. We estimate the incidence of PSABIR to be at least 2.93 (95%CI 2.62 to 3.26) per 100 000 young people (1-18 years) pa. The provider survey confirmed marked geographic variability in the organisation of services in the UK. CONCLUSIONS There are at least 350 PSABIR events in children in the UK annually, a health problem of similar magnitude to that of cerebral palsy. Service provision for this population varies widely around the UK, in contrast with the nationally coordinated approach to paediatric intensive care and major trauma provision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Hayes
- Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Simon Shaw
- Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust, Stanmore, UK
| | - Mark S Pearce
- Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Rob J Forsyth
- Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust, Stanmore, UK.,Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Owler BK, Carmo KAB, Bladwell W, Fa'asalele TA, Roxburgh J, Kendrick T, Berry A. Mobile pediatric neurosurgery: rapid response neurosurgery for remote or urgent pediatric patients. J Neurosurg Pediatr 2015; 16:340-5. [PMID: 26090548 DOI: 10.3171/2015.2.peds14310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECT Time-critical neurosurgical conditions require urgent operative treatment to prevent death or neurological deficits. In New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory patients' distance from neurosurgical care is often great, presenting a challenge in achieving timely care for patients with acute neurosurgical conditions. METHODS A protocol was developed to facilitate consultant neurosurgery locally. Children with acute, time-critical neurosurgical emergencies underwent operations in hospitals that do not normally offer neurosurgery. The authors describe the developed protocol, the outcome of its use, and the lessons learned in the 9 initial cases where the protocol has been used. Three cases are discussed in detail. RESULTS Nine children were treated by a neurosurgeon at 5 rural hospitals, and 2 children were treated at a smaller metropolitan hospital. Road ambulance, fixed wing aircraft, and medical helicopters were used to transport the Newborn and Paediatric Emergency Transport Service (NETS) team, neurosurgeon, and patients. In each case, the time to definitive neurosurgical intervention was significantly reduced. The median interval from triage at the initial hospital to surgical start time was 3:55 hours, (interquartile range [IQR] 03:29-05:20 hours). The median distance traveled to reach a patient was 232 km (range 23-637 km). The median interval from the initial NETS call requesting patient retrieval to surgical start time was 3:15 hours (IQR 00:47-03:37 hours). The estimated median "time saved" was approximately 3:00 hours (IQR 1:44-3:15 hours) compared with the travel time to retrieve the child to the tertiary center: 8:31 hours (IQR 6:56-10:08 hours). CONCLUSIONS Remote urgent neurosurgical interventions can be performed safely and effectively. This practice is relevant to countries where distance limits urgent access for patients to tertiary pediatric care. This practice is lifesaving for some children with head injuries and other acute neurosurgical conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian K Owler
- Discipline of Child Health and Paediatrics, Children's Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, University of Sydney;,Department of Neurosurgery
| | - Kathryn A Browning Carmo
- Discipline of Child Health and Paediatrics, Children's Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, University of Sydney;,Grace Centre for Newborn Intensive Care, Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney Children's Hospital Network, Sydney, Australia;,Newborn and Paediatric Emergency Transport Service (NETS), New South Wales, Australia
| | - Wendy Bladwell
- Newborn and Paediatric Emergency Transport Service (NETS), New South Wales, Australia
| | - T Arieta Fa'asalele
- Newborn and Paediatric Emergency Transport Service (NETS), New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jane Roxburgh
- Newborn and Paediatric Emergency Transport Service (NETS), New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tina Kendrick
- Newborn and Paediatric Emergency Transport Service (NETS), New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andrew Berry
- Newborn and Paediatric Emergency Transport Service (NETS), New South Wales, Australia
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Fayeye O, Ushewokunze S, Stickley J, Reynolds F, Solanki G, Rodrigues D, Walsh AR, Kay A. Does direct admission from an emergency department with on-site neurosurgical services facilitate time critical surgical intervention following a traumatic brain injury in children? Br J Neurosurg 2012. [PMID: 23205527 DOI: 10.3109/02688697.2012.743965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To compare the proportion of trauma craniotomies performed within 4 hours of presentation to emergency departments (ED) with and without on-site neurosurgery. DESIGN A retrospective cohort analysis of data collected prospectively between January 2005 and April 2010 from patients with traumatic brain injury who were admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) following traumatic brain injury. METHODS Times for admission to ED, PICU and theatre were obtained through analysis of prospectively collected data management systems. Emergency department admission to neurosurgical theatre lag time was calculated using Microsoft Excel. Statistical analysis was performed using R (version 2.11.0). Subjects. Fifty-seven cases were identified. Twenty patients were admitted directly from ED to an on-site neurosurgical unit. The remaining 37 were transferred from regional EDs. RESULTS Thirty-one craniotomies were performed. Thirteen in-patients admitted directly to hospital with neurosurgery on site. Eighteen in patients admitted at the local hospital and then transferred to the neurosurgical unit. Thirteen of Thirty-one (42%) craniotomies were performed within 4 hours. In the on-site group 10 of 13 (77%) craniotomies were performed within 4 hours compared to 3 of 18 (17%) in those transferred from regional ED (p = 0.001232) (Fisher exact test). Eleven patients were transferred directly from ED to neurosurgical theatre for emergency craniotomies. Within this subgroup, seven patients came from the cohort of admissions to a hospital with on-site neurosurgery. The remaining four patients were transferred from regional ED. There were eight extradural haematomas, one subdural haematoma and two intraparenchymal haemorrhages. The mean time from ED presentation to theatre was 1.68 hours and 5.46 hours for the on-site and regional transfer groups, respectively. There were no mortalities. CONCLUSIONS Forty-two per cent of trauma craniotomies are performed within 4 hours. However, presentation to an ED with on-site neurosurgical services significantly facilitates time critical surgery in children following a traumatic brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Fayeye
- Department of Paediatric Neurosurgery, Birmingham Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
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Management of life-threatening blunt head trauma in childhood—A case report. Int J Surg Case Rep 2012; 3:356-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2012.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2012] [Accepted: 04/13/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Tasker RC, Fleming TJ, Young AE, Morris KP, Parslow RC. Severe head injury in children: intensive care unit activity and mortality in England and Wales. Br J Neurosurg 2011; 25:68-77. [PMID: 21083365 PMCID: PMC3038595 DOI: 10.3109/02688697.2010.538770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2010] [Accepted: 11/04/2010] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the relationship between volume of paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) head injury (HI) admissions, specialist paediatric neurosurgical PICU practice, and mortality in England and Wales. METHODS Analysis of HI cases (age <16 years) from the Paediatric Intensive Care Audit Network national cohort of sequential PICU admissions in 27 units in England and Wales, in the 5 years 2004-2008. Risk-adjusted mortality using the Paediatric Index of Mortality (PIM) model was compared between PICUs aggregated into quartile groups, first to fourth based on descending number of HI admissions/year: highest volume, medium-higher volume, medium-lower volume, and lowest volume. The effect of category of PICU interventions - observation only, mechanical ventilation (MV) only, and intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring - on outcome was also examined. Observations were reported in relation to specialist paediatric neurosurgical PICU practice. RESULTS There were 2575 admissions following acute HI (4.4% of non-cardiac surgery PICU admissions in England and Wales). PICU mortality was 9.3%. Units in the fourth-quartile (lowest volume) group did not have significant specialist paediatric neurosurgical activity on the PICU; the other groups did. Overall, there was no effect of HI admissions by individual PICU on risk-adjusted mortality. However, there were significant effects for both intensive care intervention category (p<0.001) and HI admissions by grouping (p<0.005). Funnel plots and control charts using the PIM model showed a hierarchy in increasing performance from lowest volume (group IV), to medium-higher volume (group II), to highest volume (group I), to medium-lower volume (group III) sectors of the health care system. CONCLUSIONS The health care system in England and Wales for critically ill HI children requiring PICU admission performs as expected in relation to the PIM model. However, the lowest-volume sector, comprising 14 PICUs with little or no paediatric neurosurgical activity on the unit, exhibits worse than expected outcome, particularly in those undergoing ICP monitoring. The best outcomes are seen in units in the mid-volume sector. These data do not support the hypothesis that there is a simple relationship between PICU volume and performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert C Tasker
- Department of Paediatrics, Cambridge University Clinical School, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
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Nelson JA. Local skull trephination before transfer is associated with favorable outcomes in cerebral herniation from epidural hematoma. Acad Emerg Med 2011; 18:78-85. [PMID: 21414061 DOI: 10.1111/j.1553-2712.2010.00949.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The patient with epidural hematoma and cerebral herniation has a good prognosis with immediate drainage, but a poor prognosis with delay to decompression. Such patients who present to nonneurosurgical hospitals are commonly transferred without drainage to the nearest neurosurgical center. This practice has never been demonstrated to be the safest approach to treating these patients. A significant minority of emergency physicians (EPs) have advised and taught bedside burr hole drainage or skull trephination before transfer for herniating patients. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of nonneurosurgeon drainage on neurologic outcome in patients with cerebral herniation from epidural hematoma. METHODS A structured literature review was performed using EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and the Emergency Medicine Abstracts database. RESULTS No evidence meeting methodologic criteria was found describing outcomes in patients transferred without decompressive procedures. For patients receiving local drainage before transfer, 100% had favorable outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Although the total number of patients is small and the population highly selected, the natural history of cerebral herniation from epidural hematoma and the best available evidence suggests that herniating patients have improved outcomes with drainage procedures before transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Nelson
- Emergency Department, Pioneers Memorial Hospital, Brawley, CA, USA.
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Proceedings of 156 thMeeting of the Society of British Neurological Surgeons. Br J Neurosurg 2010. [DOI: 10.3109/02688697.2010.508972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Babikian T, Marion SD, Copeland S, Alger JR, O'Neill J, Cazalis F, Mink R, Giza CC, Vu JA, Hilleary SM, Kernan CL, Newman N, Asarnow RF. Metabolic levels in the corpus callosum and their structural and behavioral correlates after moderate to severe pediatric TBI. J Neurotrauma 2010; 27:473-81. [PMID: 19925210 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2009.1058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Diffuse axonal injury (DAI) secondary to traumatic brain injury (TBI) contributes to long-term functional morbidity. The corpus callosum (CC) is particularly vulnerable to this type of injury. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was used to characterize the metabolic status of two CC regions of interest (ROIs) (anterior and posterior), and their structural (diffusion tensor imaging; DTI) and neurobehavioral (neurocognitive functioning, bimanual coordination, and interhemispheric transfer time [IHTT]) correlates. Two groups of moderate/severe TBI patients (ages 12-18 years) were studied: post-acute (5 months post-injury; n = 10), and chronic (14.7 months post-injury; n = 8), in addition to 10 age-matched healthy controls. Creatine (energy metabolism) did not differ between groups across both ROIs and time points. In the TBI group, choline (membrane degeneration/inflammation) was elevated for both ROIs at the post-acute but not chronic period. N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) (neuronal/axonal integrity) was reduced initially for both ROIs, with partial normalization at the chronic time point. Posterior, not anterior, NAA was positively correlated with DTI fractional anisotropy (FA) (r = 0.88), and most domains of neurocognition (r range 0.22-0.65), and negatively correlated with IHTT (r = -0.89). Inverse corerlations were noted between creatine and posterior FA (r = -0.76), neurocognition (r range -0.22 to -0.71), and IHTT (r = 0.76). Multimodal studies at distinct time points in specific brain structures are necessary to delineate the course of the degenerative and reparative processes following TBI, which allows for preliminary hypotheses about the nature and course of the neural mechanisms of subsequent functional morbidity. This will help guide the future development of targeted therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talin Babikian
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, 760 Westwood Plaza, Room C8-746, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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Leach P, Childs C, Evans J, Johnston N, Protheroe R, King A. Transfer times for patients with extradural and subdural haematomas to neurosurgery in Greater Manchester. Br J Neurosurg 2009; 21:11-5. [PMID: 17453768 DOI: 10.1080/02688690701210562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Delay in transfer of patients with acute extradural (EDH) or subdural (SDH) haematoma to definitive neurosurgical evacuation has a detrimental effect on outcome. From July 2003 to December 2005 we undertook a prospective analysis of patients admitted to our unit for neurosurgical evacuation of their haematoma, who were transferred from non-neurosurgical hospitals. Data was collected for: 1) overall transfer time, 2) time taken from injury or deterioration to CT scan, 3) time from CT scan to arrival at our unit, and 4) time from arrival at our unit to surgery. Overall 81 patients were eligible, of which 39 had an EDH and 42 a SDH. The median transfer times for EDH and SDH were 5.25 hours and 6.0 hours respectively. This paper discusses the factors that may prolong delays in the transfer of patients between hospitals and the way in which our unit is trying to improve the local service for the population of Greater Manchester.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Leach
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hope Hospital, and University of Manchester, Division of Medicine and Neurosciences, UK.
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Specialist team retrieval of head injured patients: fact, fiction, or formula? Intensive Care Med 2008; 35:334-8. [PMID: 18854974 DOI: 10.1007/s00134-008-1323-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2008] [Accepted: 09/09/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This feasibility study aimed to determine the maximum theoretical distance the Edinburgh Paediatric Retrieval Team (EPRT) could travel to retrieve head injured children without additional delay in reaching definitive care. DESIGN A prospective audit was conducted over 2 years to determine the current practice for paediatric head injury transfers (stabilisation, referral, and transfer time) undertaken by primary hospital staff, and the performance (mobilisation and travel time) of the EPRT. A novel formula was devised and used to determine the theoretical maximum radius within which the EPRT could reach a referring hospital during their stabilisation of head injured patients. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS During the study period, 27 head injured patients were transferred to our unit by road and the EPRT conducted 194 road retrievals. The median stabilisation time for the head injured patients was 3.6 h. Median time to refer these patients to neurosurgical services was 1 h after presenting to primary hospitals. Median mobilisation time for EPRT was 1 h. Using our novel formula, 67 miles was the theoretical maximum radius within which the EPRT could reach a referring hospital during their stabilisation of head injured patients. CONCLUSIONS Specialist team retrieval of paediatric head injury is a possibility, but not without significant organisational changes such as availability of second teams, early referral of patients and utilisation of the mobilisation time as a cancellation window. Our novel formula offers other teams a starting point to assess their own performance and to develop services.
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Khilnani P, Chhabra R. Transport of critically ill children: how to utilize resources in the developing world. Indian J Pediatr 2008; 75:591-8. [PMID: 18759088 DOI: 10.1007/s12098-008-0115-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2008] [Accepted: 02/29/2008] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Safe transport of critically ill children remains a globally important issue, particularly in the developing countries such as India and Africa where the high risk mortality and morbidity exists during the transport process that may be less than optimal due to personnel and resource limitation. This article is intended to familiarize the reader with essential components of a good ground pediatric critical care transport program with special reference to developing countries. Essential equipment, medications, training requirement and responsibilities of transport team have been discussed in detail. In addition, recommendations from American (American academy of pediatrics-Transport section) and British pediatric critical care transport systems have been included, keeping in mind the practical feasibility in the Indian scenario where resources are limited.
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Bayreuther J, Maconochie I. The evidenced-based care behind the early management of head injured children. TRAUMA-ENGLAND 2008. [DOI: 10.1177/1460408608088770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Trauma remains the highest cause of death in children over the age of 1. Head injury accounts for the highest mortality. There is much information on the treatment of head injuries and indications for CT scanning. This review aims to summarise the key differences between paediatric and adult victims of trauma and outline the key steps in management of head injured children, from prevention through to who should have a CT scan and initial management in the emergency department (ED) if transfer is required to a PICU or neurosurgical unit. Information is also provided on recommendations for follow up of children who do not require PICU or neurosurgical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Bayreuther
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, 369 Fulham Road, London SW10 9NH, UK,
| | - Ian Maconochie
- St Marys Paddington, St Mary's NHS Trust, Praed Street, London W2 1NY, UK
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Deverill J, Aitken LM. Treatment of extradural haemorrhage in Queensland: interhospital transfer, preoperative delay and clinical outcome. Emerg Med Australas 2007; 19:325-32. [PMID: 17655635 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-6723.2007.00969.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To measure preoperative delays and clinical outcomes of patients with extradural haemorrhage, comparing patients presenting to hospitals with no neurosurgical facilities, with those presenting directly to neurosurgical centres. METHODS Retrospective case study with data collected from 10 centres. Patients were identified with a search of the Queensland Trauma Registry database. A total of 315 charts were reviewed, of patients presenting or referred to Queensland's public hospitals between 2002 and 2004 inclusive. RESULTS A total of 261 patients were included in the study. One hundred and fifty-nine patients presented to hospitals with no neurosurgical facilities; 102 presented directly to neurosurgical centres. Forty-six patients underwent interhospital transfer (IHT) before decompressive craniotomy; their median time interval from presentation to operation was 8 h 5 min. This delay was significantly greater than that for 25 patients admitted directly to neurosurgical centres (median 4 h 19 min; P = 0.0006). After excluding patients who had sustained hypoxic or hypotensive insults or serious extracranial injuries, all deaths (five) occurred in patients undergoing IHT before craniotomy. CONCLUSIONS IHT of patients with extradural haemorrhage causes significant preoperative delay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jo Deverill
- Queensland Trauma Registry, Centre of National Research on Disability and Rehabilitation (CONROD), University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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Abstract
In survivors of traumatic brain injury (TBI), impairment in anterior pituitary hormone function may be an important cause of long-term morbidity. Histopathological evidence from post-mortem studies suggests that the hypothalamic-pituitary structures are vulnerable to damage following head injury. Pituitary dysfunction, present months or years after injury, is now well recognised in adults, however, little evidence is known about this potential complication in children and adolescents. This article reviews the available paediatric data, which shows that hypopituitarism may occur after both mild and severe TBI, with growth hormone and gonadotrophin deficiencies appearing to be most common abnormalities. Central precocious puberty has also been documented. There are, however, few published data within a population of children with TBI on the incidence or prevalence of hypopituitarism, nor on its natural history or response to hormone replacement, and prospective studies are needed. Given the critical role of anterior pituitary hormones in the regulation of growth, pubertal and neurocognitive development in childhood, early detection of hormone abnormalities following TBI is important. We propose that a multidisciplinary approach to follow-up and endocrine assessment is required for the long-term management and rehabilitation of children and adolescents who survive moderate to severe head injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo L Acerini
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Level 8/Box 116, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, UK.
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Abstract
Recommended steps for improved medical services to children and those needing urgent medical attention
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