Effects of a New Hospital-Wide Surgical Consultation Protocol in Patients with Clostridium difficile Colitis

BACKGROUND

Fulminant Clostridium difficile colitis (fCDC) occurs in 2%-8% of patients with CDC and carries a high death rate. Prompt operation may reduce death. Our aim was to determine whether a standardized hospital-wide protocol for surgical referral in CDC would result in earlier surgical consultation, earlier identification of patients who could benefit from surgical therapy, and reduced deaths from fCDC.

METHODS

A multidisciplinary team developed consensus criteria for surgical consultation. Compliance was evaluated by prospective review of all inpatient CDC cases. Outcomes of the prospective cohort (POST) were compared to an historic control group (PRE).

RESULTS

From November 1, 2010 to October 31, 2012, we identified 1,106 inpatients with CDC; 339 patients matched the consultation criteria, of whom 213 received a surgical consultation, resulting in an overall compliance rate of 62.8%. All those with fCDC received a surgical consultation, with a median time to surgical referral of three hours. Of 46 patients with fCDC, 11 (23.9%) died, compared with 34.8% in the historical control group (p = 0.15). The death rate was 14.7% in the POST group, when excluding patients with limitations of care and those transferred to our institution in a fulminant state. There was a shorter interval between admission and surgical intervention for those who required operation in the POST group-three (1-11) days versus 1.5 (0-3) days, respectively, in the PRE and POST groups (p = 0.018), and a shorter adjusted median hospital length of stay (adjusted difference 9.0, 95% CI 2.2-12.3, p = 0.007) Conclusions: A hospital-wide protocol with established criteria for surgical consultation resulted in faster intervention and a shorter adjusted median hospital length of stay. The overall death rate for fCDC patients without limitations of life-sustaining treatment who presented to our emergency department or in whom fCDC developed while they were admitted to our hospital was 14.7%.

Treatment of Enterocutaneous Fistulas, Then and Now

BACKGROUND

An enterocutaneous fistula (ECF) is an aberrant connection between the gastrointestinal tract and the skin or atmosphere (enteroatmospheric fistula [EAF]). Multimodal treatment includes surgical procedures, nutrition support, and wound care. We evaluated our practice and compared our outcomes with previous results published from our institution.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of hospitalized ECF/EAF patients admitted between January 2011 and November 2015. Patients with internal fistulas; active inflammatory bowel disease; malignancy; radiation treatment; end-stage renal, hepatic, or cardiac disease; and active alcoholism were excluded. Data collected included demographics, fistula characteristics, nutrition therapy, treatment, operative success, and hospital mortality. Parametric and nonparametric tests for independent and paired groups were performed.

RESULTS

Thirty-one patients were included in the analysis. The median (interquartile range) age was 60 (53-76) years, and 81% were female. Parenteral nutrition was initially prescribed in 80% of patients, but 61% received enteral nutrition (EN) at some point during their hospitalization. Two patients were fed by fistuloclysis. Eighty percent of the patients underwent surgical repair a median of 12 months after diagnosis with 92% operative success. Surgical repair had a modest correlation with home discharge (ρ = 0.517, P = .003). A large proportion of patients (77%) were discharged home. The in-hospital mortality at our institution decreased from 44% in 1960 to 21% in 1970 to 3% in the current study.

CONCLUSIONS

Modern treatment of ECF/EAF, including EN and advanced local wound care, is associated with improvements in clinical outcomes such as hospital mortality.

Creation of the first Hartford Consensus compliant elementary school in the USA

Background

The Hartford Consensus established a framework for minimizing deaths due to mass shootings, specifically eliminating preventable deaths due to limb exsanguination. Two major principles defined within this framework are (1) redefining the first responder role and (2) the ubiquitous availability of proper training in application of hemorrhage control techniques, including tourniquets. We hypothesized that this hemorrhage control posture could be fully translated into an elementary school.

Methods

Following institutional review board approval, all teachers at a prekindergarten through 8th grade elementary school underwent short, intensive instruction on their role as a first responder, as well as indications and proper technique for hemorrhage control and tourniquet application for limb exsanguination. All teachers self-reported their confidence in their role as a first responder as well as tourniquet application indications and technique before and after instruction. Following instruction, teachers were evaluated on proper tourniquet application technique on a simulated limb to assess competence.

Results

26 elementary school teachers and 2 administrative staff underwent training. All reported low confidence in their role as a first responder and in tourniquet application indication and technique before training. Following training, all teachers reported high confidence. Testing demonstrated all teachers were competent in the tourniquet application technique. Following training, each classroom was equipped with a purpose-made commercial tourniquet, and a dedicated hemorrhage control bag was placed in the school's central administrative office.

Conclusions

All teachers were successfully trained to act as first responders and in correct hemorrhage control techniques, which was verified by testing. This is the first elementary school to universally adopt a hemorrhage control posture to eliminate preventable deaths from limb exsanguination advocated by the Hartford Consensus.

Percutaneous damage control with self-expanding foam: pre-hospital rescue from abdominal exsanguination

Non-compressible intra-abdominal hemorrhage results in significant morbidity and mortality in contemporary trauma medicine. Regrettably, many deaths from non-compressible hemorrhage are attributable to potentially survivable injuries. A self-expanding polyurethane foam has been developed for rapid, percutaneous damage control of exsanguinating abdominal hemorrhage, for patients not expected to survive to definitive surgical care. Foam intervention creates a temporary, commensal, hemostatic environment within the abdominal cavity. This tropism away from exsanguination physiology creates a hemostatic bridge such that the patient may reach definitive surgical intervention. This review article summarizes the existing literature characterizing the safety and efficacy of this intervention, along with a study in recently deceased patients that enables dose translation from animal models to human beings.

Trauma team utilization of universal precautions: if you see something, say something

PURPOSE

The risks deriving from the lack of compliance with universal safety precautions (USPs) are unequivocal. However, the adoption of these prophylactic precautions by healthcare providers remains unacceptably low. We hypothesized that trauma teams are not routinely adhering to USPs and that a brief educational intervention, followed by real-time peer feedback, would substantially improve compliance rates.

METHODS

This before-and-after interventional study took place in the resuscitation bay of a Level I Trauma Center during trauma team activations. Six USPs were examined: hand washing (before and after patient contact), use of gloves, gowns, eye protection, and masks. Surgery and Emergency Medicine attending physicians, residents, and nurses, who had direct patient contact, were included. Following 162 baseline observations, an educational intervention in the form of brief lectures was conducted, emphasizing the danger to self from dereliction of USPs. Subsequently, 167 post-intervention observations were made after a one-month period of knowledge decay. Finally, real-time feedback was provided by trauma team leaders and study staff. Adherence to prophylactic measures was recorded again.

RESULTS

Baseline compliance rates were dismal. Only hand washing prior to patient interaction, the use of eye protection, and the use of masks improved significantly (p < 0.05) after the educational initiative. However, compliance rates remained suboptimal. No difference was noted regarding the three other USPs. Impressively, following real-time behavioral corrections, compliance improved to nearly 90 % for all USPs (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Compliance with OSHA-required USPs during trauma team activations is unacceptably low, but can be dramatically improved through simple educational interventions, combined with real-time peer feedback.

Chronic safety assessment of hemostatic self-expanding foam: 90-day survival study and intramuscular biocompatibility

BACKGROUND

Noncompressible hemorrhage is a significant cause of preventable death in trauma, with no effective presurgical treatments. We previously described the efficacy and 28-day safety of a self-expanding hemostatic foam in swine models. We hypothesized that the 28-day results would be confirmed at a second site and that results would be consistent over 90 days. Finally, we hypothesized that the foam material would be biocompatible following intramuscular implantation.

METHODS

Foam treatment was administered in swine following a closed-cavity splenic injury. The material was explanted after 3 hours, and the animals were monitored to 28 days (n = 6) or 90 days (n = 4). Results were compared with a control group with injury alone (n = 6 at 28 days, n = 3 at 90 days). In a separate study, foam samples were implanted in rabbit paravertebral muscle and assessed at 28 days and 90 days relative to a Food and Drug Administration-approved polyurethane mesh (n = 3 per group).

RESULTS

All animals survived the acute phase of the study, and the foam animals required enterorrhaphy. One animal developed postoperative ileus and was euthanized; all other animals survived to the 28-day or 90-day end point without clinically significant complications. Histologic evaluation demonstrated that remnant particles were associated with a fibrotic capsule and mild inflammation. The foam was considered biocompatible in 28-day and 90-day intramuscular implant studies.

CONCLUSION

Foam treatment was not associated with significant evidence of end-organ dysfunction or toxicity at 28 days or 90 days. Remnant foam particles were well tolerated. These results support the long-term safety of this intervention for severely bleeding patients.

Tourniquet Effectiveness When Placed Over the Joint Service Lightweight Integrated Suit Technology

BACKGROUND

Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats (CBRNs) are uncommon; however, Special Operations Forces (SOF) are likely at the highest risk for tactical exposure. In the event of exposure, SOF will rely on the Joint Service Lightweight Integrated Suit Technology (JSLIST) for survival. Doctrine dictates that a tourniquet should be applied over the JSLIST after a severe limb injury with hemorrhage. There is no evidence in the literature that the Combat Application Tourniquet (C-A-T), which is currently the most widely available tourniquet on the battlefield, can effectively occlude arterial blood flow when applied over the JSLIST. We hypothesized that C-A-T application over the JSLIST would be ineffective at occluding arterial blood flow in the lower extremity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Following institutional review board approval, 20 healthy volunteers were recruited to participate. All volunteers wore the G3 Combat Pant and they donned the JSLIST. First, an operating room pneumatic tourniquet (gold standard) was applied in the proximal thigh and inflated to 300mmHg. Distal arterial interrogation was performed by examination of distal pulses and noninvasive arterial plethysmography wave-form analysis. After a 1-hour recovery period, the C-A-T was applied and tightened. A double routing technique was used, with three 180° turns of the windlass. The same distal interrogation followed. Half of the volunteers had the pneumatic tourniquet applied first, and the other half had the C-A-T applied first.

RESULTS

All volunteers had palpable pulses at baseline despite a wide range in volunteer body mass index. Distal pulses were absent in all volunteers following inflation of the pneumatic tourniquet as well as tightening of the C-A-T. The observed difference between the mean amplitude of plethysmographic waveforms was not different.

CONCLUSION

The C-A-T effectively occludes arterial flow in the lower extremity, even when applied over the JSLIST. This finding supports existing military doctrine for tourniquet application over the JSLIST in the nonpermissive CBRN environment to control extremity exsanguination.

A Case of Prehospital Traumatic Arrest in a US Special Operations Soldier: Care From Point of Injury to Full Recovery

During an assault on an extremely remote target, a US Special Operations Soldier sustained multiple gunshot and fragmentation wounds to the thorax, resulting in a traumatic arrest and subsequent survival. His care, including care under fire, tactical field care, tactical evacuation care, and Role III, IV, and V care, is presented. The case is used to illustrate the complex dynamics of Special Operations care on the modern battlefield and the exceptional outcomes possible when evidence-based medicine is taken to the warfighter with effective, farforward, expeditionary medical-force projection.

Nutrition in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit: The Cost of Starting Low and Ramping Up Rates

BACKGROUND

Calorie/protein deficit in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) is associated with worse clinical outcomes. It is customary to initiate enteral nutrition (EN) at a low rate and increase to goal (RAMP-UP). Increasing evidence suggests that RAMP-UP may contribute to iatrogenic malnutrition. We sought to determine what proportion of total SICU calorie/protein deficit is attributable to RAMP-UP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective study of a prospectively collected registry of adult patients (N = 109) receiving at least 72 hours of EN in the SICU according to the RAMP-UP protocol (July 2012-June 2014). Subjects receiving only trophic feeds or with interrupted EN during RAMP-UP were excluded. Deficits were defined as the amount of prescribed calories/protein minus the actual amount received. RAMP-UP deficit was defined as the deficit between EN initiation and arrival at goal rate. Data included demographics, nutritional prescription/delivery, and outcomes.

RESULTS

EN was started at a median of 34.0 hours (interquartile range [IQR], 16.5-53.5) after ICU admission, with a mean duration of 8.7 ± 4.3 days. The median total caloric deficit was 2185 kcal (249-4730), with 900 kcal (551-1562) attributable to RAMP-UP (41%). The protein deficit was 98.5 g (27.5-250.4), with 51.9 g (20.6-83.3) caused by RAMP-UP (53%).

CONCLUSIONS

In SICU patients initiating EN, the RAMP-UP period accounted for 41% and 53% of the overall caloric and protein deficits, respectively. Starting EN immediately at goal rate may eliminate a significant proportion of macronutrient deficit in the SICU.

Validation of Respiratory Inductance Plethysmography for Measuring Tidal Volume in Swine

Measuring tidal volume (VT) in nonintubated swine or swine with leaking breathing circuits is challenging. The aim of this study was to validate respiratory inductance plethysmography (RIP) for measuring VT in swine that are comparable in size to adult humans. To determine calibration curves, VT and RIP readings were obtained from anesthetized swine (n = 8; weight, 46-50 kg) during positive-pressure (mechanical) ventilation and spontaneous breathing. For positive-pressure ventilation, 6 pigs were mechanically ventilated by using the pressure-control mode. The 2 pigs in the spontaneously breathing cohort each received a single intravenous bolus dose of propofol to abolish spontaneous breathing; VT was measured during gradual return of their respiratory drive. A flow-volume sensor was placed between the proximal end of the endotracheal tube and breathing circuit for the recording of inspiratory and expiratory VT. RIP readings were recorded by using 2 bands, which simultaneously measured ribcage and abdominal excursions. The data revealed that VT was linearly correlated with the movements of both ribcage and abdomen as measured by using plethysmography over a large range of tidal volume (44 to 1065 mL). In addition, the intercept of the linear equation was small or even negative during spontaneous breathing but increased significantly (maximum, 145 mL, 59.2 ± 35.1 mL) during positive pressure ventilation. Our results indicate that VT in swine can be calculated by using a simple univariate linear regression equation with RIP readings obtained during either mechanical ventilation or spontaneous breathing.

The clinical significance of isolated loss of lordosis on cervical spine computed tomography in blunt trauma patients: a prospective evaluation of 1,007 patients

BACKGROUND

A negative computed tomographic (CT) scan may be used to rule out cervical spine (c-spine) injury after trauma. Loss of lordosis (LOL) is frequently found as the only CT abnormality. We investigated whether LOL should preclude c-spine clearance.

METHODS

All adult trauma patients with isolated LOL at our Level I trauma center (February 1, 2011 to May 31, 2012) were prospectively evaluated. The primary outcome was clinically significant injury on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), flexion-extension views, and/or repeat physical examination.

RESULTS

Of 3,333 patients (40 ± 17 years, 60% men) with a c-spine CT, 1,007 (30%) had isolated LOL. Among 841 patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15, no abnormalities were found on MRI, flexion-extension views, and/or repeat examinations, and all collars were removed. Among 166 patients with Glasgow Coma Scale less than 15, 3 (.3%) had minor abnormal MRI findings but no clinically significant injury.

CONCLUSION

Isolated LOL on c-spine CT is not associated with a clinically significant injury and should not preclude c-spine clearance.

Sprayable Foams Based on an Amphiphilic Biopolymer for Control of Hemorrhage Without Compression

Hemorrhage (severe blood loss) from traumatic injury is a leading cause of death for soldiers in combat and for young civilians. In some cases, hemorrhage can be stopped by applying compression of a tourniquet or bandage at the injury site. However, the majority of hemorrhages that prove fatal are "non-compressible", such as those due to an internal injury in the truncal region. Currently, there is no effective way to treat such injuries. In this initial study, we demonstrate that a sprayable polymer-based foam can be effective at treating bleeding from soft tissue without the need for compression. When the foam is sprayed into an open cavity created by injury, it expands and forms a self-supporting barrier that counteracts the expulsion of blood from the cavity. The active material in this foam is the amphiphilic biopolymer, hydrophobically modified chitosan (hmC), which physically connects blood cells into clusters via hydrophobic interactions (the hemostatic mechanism of hmC is thus distinct from the natural clotting cascade, and it works even with heparinized or citrated blood). The amphiphilic nature of hmC also allows it to serve as a stabilizer for the bubbles in the foam. We tested the hmC-based hemostatic foam for its ability to arrest bleeding from an injury to the liver in pigs. Hemostasis was achieved within minutes after application of the hmC foams (without the need for external compression). The total blood loss was 90% lower with the hmC foam relative to controls.

Adequate Nutrition May Get You Home: Effect of Caloric/Protein Deficits on the Discharge Destination of Critically Ill Surgical Patients

BACKGROUND

Macronutrient deficit in the surgical intensive care unit (ICU) is associated with worse in-hospital outcomes. We hypothesized that increased caloric and protein deficit is also associated with a lower likelihood of discharge to home vs transfer to a rehabilitation or skilled nursing facility.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Adult surgical ICU patients receiving >72 hours of enteral nutrition (EN) between March 2012 and May 2014 were included. Patients with absolute contraindications to EN, <72-hour ICU stay, moribund state, EN prior to surgical ICU admission, or previous ICU admission within the same hospital stay were excluded. Subjects were dichotomized by cumulative caloric (<6000 vs ≥ 6000 kcal) and protein deficit (<300 vs ≥ 300 g). Baseline characteristics and outcomes were compared using Wilcoxon rank and χ(2) tests. To test the association of macronutrient deficit with discharge destination (home vs other), we performed a logistic regression analysis, controlling for plausible confounders.

RESULTS

In total, 213 individuals were included. Nineteen percent in the low-caloric deficit group were discharged home compared with 6% in the high-caloric deficit group (P = .02). Age, body mass index (BMI), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II), and initiation of EN were not significantly different between groups. On logistic regression, adjusting for BMI and APACHE II score, the high-caloric and protein-deficit groups were less likely to be discharged home (odds ratio [OR], 0.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.08-0.96; P = .04 and OR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.0-0.89, P = .03, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

In surgical ICU patients, inadequate macronutrient delivery is associated with lower rates of discharge to home. Improved nutrition delivery may lead to better clinical outcomes after critical illness.

Is CT Angiography of the Head Useful in the Management of Traumatic Brain Injury?

BACKGROUND

Computed tomography angiography (CTA) has been increasingly used in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients to uncover vascular lesions that might have preceded the trauma and caused the bleed. This study aims to evaluate the usefulness of head CTA in the initial care of blunt TBI patients.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a retrospective case-control analysis of adult TBI patients, admitted to our Level I trauma center from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012. The patients were grouped as those with and without a CTA of the head. The primary outcomes included a change in management after the findings of head CTA and secondary outcomes included rate of admission to the ICU, ICU length of stay, hospital length of stay, discharge disposition, and mortality.

RESULTS

Six hundred adult patients had blunt TBI and underwent head CT as a part of their evaluation. Of these 600 patients, 132 (22%) underwent head CTA in addition to CT. Only one patient had altered management after the CTA results; the patient had a diagnostic angiogram that was negative. Ninety-eight patients did not have any additional findings on CTA. Of the remaining 33 patients with additional CTA findings, 12 had incidental vascular malformations, which showed no acute pathology and were not related to the injury. In the matched comparisons, patients with CTA had a longer hospital stay, higher rate of ICU admission, and longer ICU stay. There was no significant difference in mortality and discharge disposition between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Head CTA is commonly used after blunt TBI but does not alter management and should be abandoned in the absence of clear indications.

Goal-directed diuresis: A case - control study of continuous furosemide infusion in critically ill trauma patients

BACKGROUND

Excessive crystalloid administration is common and associated with negative outcomes in critically ill trauma patients. Continuous furosemide infusion (CFI) to remove excessive fluid has not been previously described in this population. We hypothesized that a goal-directed CFI is more effective for fluid removal than intermittent bolus injection (IBI) diuresis without excess incidence of hypokalemia or renal failure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

CFI cases were prospectively enrolled between November 2011 and August 2012, and matched to historic IBI controls by age, gender, Injury Severity Score (ISS), and net fluid balance (NFB) at diuresis initiation. Paired and unpaired analyses were performed to compare groups. The primary endpoints were net fluid balance, potassium and creatinine levels. Secondary endpoints included intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay (LOS), ventilator-free days (VFD), and mortality.

RESULTS

55 patients were included, with 19 cases and 36 matched controls. Mean age was 54 years, mean ISS was 32.7, and mean initial NFB was +7.7 L. After one day of diuresis with CFI vs. IBI, net 24 h fluid balance was negative (-0.55 L vs. +0.43 L, P = 0.026) only for the CFI group, and there was no difference in potassium and creatinine levels. Cumulative furosemide dose (59.4mg vs. 25.4mg, P < 0.001) and urine output (4.2 L vs. 2.8 L, P < 0.001) were also significantly increased with CFI vs. IBI. There were no statistically significant differences in ICU LOS, hospital LOS, VFD, or mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to IBI, goal-directed diuresis by CFI is more successful in achieving net negative fluid balance in patients with fluid overload with no detrimental side effects on renal function or patient outcome.

Preoperative evaluation of penetrating esophageal trauma in the current era: An analysis of the National Trauma Data Bank

Background:

Preoperative diagnostic evaluation (PDE) of penetrating esophageal injury (PeEsIn) can delay treatment and increase morbidity. We sought to study the relationship among PDE, delay in definitive treatment, and patient mortality in PeEsIn.

Materials and Methods:

The 2008-2010 National Trauma Data Banks were queried for PeEsIn. Exclusion criteria were death within 1 day of injury, and missing data about survival to discharge or operative intervention. Data extracted included demographics, vital signs, injury severity, diagnostic procedures (endoscopy, computed tomography, and fluoroscopy), time to procedures and/or operation, hospital-free days, and mortality.

Results:

Of 280 patients, 75 underwent PDE and 205 did not. There were no significant differences in baseline demographics, vital signs or injury severity between the two groups. The median time to the first operation was shorter in the nonPDE cohort compared to the PDE cohort (2 vs. 3 h; P = 0.018). Median hospital-free days at day 60 were significantly less in nonPDE (42 days, interquartile range ([IQR] = [28, 50]) versus PDE patients (47 days, IQR = [38, 51]) (P = 0.007). Mortality was not statistically different.

Conclusions:

PDE in PeEsIn slightly delays the time to operation without worsening mortality, and is a predictor of more hospital-free days.