• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.108-114
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• 2015

Purpose: To improve outcome of severe trauma patient, the shortening of transport time is needed. Although helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) is still a subject of debate, it must also be considered for trauma system. The aim of this study is to assess whether transport method (HEMS versus ground EMS) is associated with outcome among inter-hospital transport. Methods: All trauma patients transported to regional emergency center by either HEMS or ground EMS from September 2011 to September 2014. We have classified patients according to two groups by transport method. Age younger than 15 years and self-discharged patients were excluded. Results: A total of 427 patients were available for analysis during this period. 60 patients were transported by HEMS and 367 patients were transported by ground EMS. HEMS group had higher mortality than ground EMS group (23.3% vs 3.5%; p<0.001), and included more patients with excess mortality ratio adjusted injury severity score (EMR-ISS) above 25 (91.7% vs 48.8%; p<0.001). In the multivariable regression analysis, HEMS was not associated with improved outcome compared with ground EMS, but only EMR-ISS was associated with a mortality of patients (odds ratio, 1.06; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.09). Conclusion: In this study, helicopter emergency medical services transport was not associated with a decreased of mortality among the trauma patients who inter-hospital transported to the regional emergency center.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.151-154
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• 2011

In trauma patients, cognitive impairment may develop due to several causes: traumatic brain injury such as intracranial hemorrhage, diffuse axonal injury, hypoxic brain injury or reperfusion injury, the psychologic disorder, such as acute stress disorder, post-traumatic disorder or delirium. We describe a 62-year-old male with post-trauma cognitive impairment due to a primary central nervous system lymphoma.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.224-227
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• 2024

In Korea, helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) with a physician on board were introduced in September 2011, funded by both central and regional governments. HEMS was integrated into the Korean emergency medical system to address the need for EMS in remote rural areas. The present report describes 16-month-old twins who fell from the fifth floor of an apartment building, located approximately 100 km from the nearest level I trauma center. Utilizing HEMS along with initial emergency management by an emergency physician, the patients were transported to the level I trauma center within the critical "golden hour." The children had sustained multiorgan injuries. Without intervention at the scene by an emergency physician, a fatal outcome was anticipated for both children. With the use of HEMS, one patient died, but the other survived with a good prognosis. The use of HEMS flights with an emergency physician on board may improve outcomes for pediatric patients with severe trauma in medically underserved rural areas.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.1-16
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• 2005

An ideal trauma care system would include all the components identified with optimal trauma care, such as prevention, access, acute hospital care, rehabilitation, and research activities. Central to an ideal system is a large resource-rich trauma center. The need for resources is primarily based on the concept of being able to provide immediate medical care for unlimited numbers of injured patients at any time. Optimal resources at such a trauma center would include inhouse board-certified emergency medicine physicians, general surgeons, anesthesiologists, neurosurgeons, and orthopedic surgeons. Other board-certified specialists would be available, within a short time frame, to all patients who require their expertise. This center would require a certain volume of injured patients to be admitted each year, and these patients would include the most severely injured patients within the system. Additionally, certain injuries that are infrequently seen would be concentrated in this special center to ensure that these patients could be properly treated and studied, providing the opportunity to improve the care of these patients. These research activities are necessary to enhance our knowledge of the care of the injured. Basic science research in areas such as shock, brain edema, organ failure, and rehabilitation would also be present in the ideal center. This trauma center would have an integrated concurrent performance improvement program to ensure optimal care and continuous improvement in care. This center would not only be responsible for assessing care delivered within its trauma program, but for helping to organize the assessment of care within the entire trauma system. This ideal trauma center would serve as a total resource for all organizations dealing with the injured patient in the regional area.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.37-44
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• 2011

Purpose: Recently, social interest in an organized trauma system for the treatment of patients has been increasing in government and academia and the establishment of trauma center is being considered across the country. However, establishing such a system has not been easy in Korea, because enormous experiences and resources are necessary. The objectives of this study were (1) to estimate a trauma patient's demands during the course of treatment and (2) to provide appropriate direction for trauma centers to be established in Korea. Methods: The records of 207 patients who were admitted to the Department of Trauma Surgery in Ajou University Medical Center due to trauma were retrospectively reviewed for a 1 year period from March 2010 to February 2011. Patients were reviewed for general characteristics, number of hospital days, numbers and kinds of surgeries, numbers and kinds of consultations, ISS (Injury Severity Score) and number of patients with ISS more than 15. Results: All 207 patients were enrolled. The average number of hospital days was 36.7 days. The ICU stay was 15.9 days, and the general ward stay was 20.8 days. Admitted patients occupied 9.02 beds in ICU and 11.80 beds in the general ward per day. The average number of surgeries per patient was 1.4, and surgery at the Department of Trauma Surgery was most common. Number of consultations per patient was 14.23, and consultations with orthopedic surgeons were most common. The average ISS was 18.6. The number of patients with ISS more than 15 was 141 (61.8%) and the average number of patients treated per trauma surgeon as a major trauma patient was 94.3. The number of mortalities was 20, and the mortality rate was 9.7%. Conclusion: To reduce mortality and to provide proper treatment of patients with major trauma, hospitals need some number of beds, especially in the ICU, to treat patients and to prepare them for emergent surgery. An appropriate number of trauma surgeons and various specialists for consultation are also needed.

• 대한소아치과학회지
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• 제44권4호
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• pp.403-411
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• 2017

본 연구의 목적은 치과적 외상이 있는 소아청소년 입원환자의 치과 협진 의뢰에 대한 본원의 현황을 분석하고 발전 방향을 모색하는 것이다. 이에 2011년 3월부터 2017년 2월까지 6년간 원주세브란스기독병원 의과에 입원한 소아청소년 환자의 치과 협진 의뢰에 대한 후향적 분석을 하였다. 조사 항목으로 협진 의뢰 주소와 치과적 진단명, 협진 의뢰과, 치과적 외상 후 협진 의뢰 시기, 입원 기간과 치과적 외상 후 협진 의뢰 시기의 관계, 외상으로 의과에 입원하는 것과 치과적 외상 발생의 관계, 치과적 외상의 원인과 발생 나이, 치과적 외상에 대한 치료, 치과적 외상 환자의 퇴원 후 치과 외래 재내원 등이 있었다. 협진 의뢰 주소와 치과적 진단명에서 치과적 외상이 차지하는 비율이 가장 높았고, 협진 의뢰과는 외과 계열의 진료과가 가장 높은 비율을 보였다. 입원 기간과 치과적 외상 후 협진 의뢰 시기는 양의 상관 관계를 보였다. 외상을 이유로 의과에 입원하는 것과 치과적 외상 발생은 통계적으로 유의하게 연관이 있었고, 교통 사고로 인해 의과에 입원한 환자의 경우 100% 치과적 외상이 동반되었다. 입원실에서 발생한 치과적 외상 환자의 나이는 유의하게 적었다. 치과적 외상과 입원 중 치료, 치과적 외상과 퇴원 후 치과 외래 재내원은 각각 통계적으로 유의한 연관이 없었다. 교통 사고에 의해 의과에 입원한 소아청소년 환자에 대해서 치과적 외상이 동반될 가능성이 크고, 치과 협진 의뢰 시기가 지연될 수 있다. 어린 소아 환자의 경우 입원실에서 치과적 외상의 발생 가능성이 크다. 또한, 치과적 외상 환자의 입원 중 치료와 퇴원 후 치과 외래 재내원이 잘 이루어지지 않고 있다. 이와 같은 결과들에 대해 협진 의뢰 체계의 개선, 입원 병동 내 전담 인력 배치와 치과 시설 및 장비 구비, 의과 주치의에 대한 교육, 주치의 간의 원활한 의사소통 등이 대안이 될 수 있다. 본 연구는 의과와 치과의 교육 및 연구 자료로 활용되어 치과적 외상이 있는 소아청소년 입원환자의 치과 협진 의뢰에 관한 발전에 기여할 것으로 기대된다.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제24권8호
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• pp.752-760
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• 2023

Radiologists and trauma surgeons should monitor for early killers among patients with thoracic trauma, such as tension pneumothorax, tracheobronchial injuries, flail chest, aortic injury, mediastinal hematomas, and severe pulmonary parenchymal injury. With the advent of cutting-edge technology, rapid volumetric computed tomography of the chest has become the most definitive diagnostic tool for establishing or excluding thoracic trauma. With the notion of "time is life" at emergency settings, radiologists must find ways to shorten the turnaround time of reports. One way to interpret chest findings is to use a systemic approach, as advocated in this study. Our interpretation of chest findings for thoracic trauma follows the acronym "ABC-Please" in which "A" stands for abnormal air, "B" stands for abnormal bones, "C" stands for abnormal cardiovascular system, and "P" in "Please" stands for abnormal pulmonary parenchyma and vessels. In the future, utilizing an artificial intelligence software can be an alternative, which can highlight significant findings as "warm zones" on the heatmap and can re-prioritize important examinations at the top of the reading list for radiologists to expedite the final reports.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.102-106
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• 2010

Purpose: With the increasing numbers of foreign residents in Korea, the need for an emergency medical care system for foreign patients seems to be growing. Sometimes, a foreigner admitted to an emergency room is not treated sufficiently due to the absence of insurance, facility in the Korean language, and a guardian. The management of a foreigner with trauma in the ER is difficult due to various problems such as social and economic status. The purpose of this study was to investigate the current management status of foreigners with penetrating wounds in the emergency room. Methods: This study is an analysis of 580 patients that were diagnosed with penetrating wounds in one teaching Hospital from Jan. 1, 2008 to Dec. 31, 2008. We analyzed results according to nationality, alcohol ingestion, intentional or accidental trauma, trauma mechanism, injury severity, management time in the ER, and outcome in the ER. Results: Of the total 580 patients, 486 patients (83.8%) were native Koreans and 94 patients (16.2%) were foreigners. According to the Revised Trauma Score, the average score of native Korean patients was 7.808, and the average score of foreign patients was 7.638. Of native Korean patients, 22.6% had knife wounds while 38.3% of foreign patients did. Of native Korean patients, 17.3% experienced intentional trauma while 33.0% of the foreign patients did. Of native Korean patients, 22.5% had ingested alcohol while 49.4% of the foreigners had. Of native Korean patients, 10.5% were admitted while 7.6% of the foreign patients were. Of native Korean patients, 14.2% were discharged against medical advice (DAMA), while 18.5% of foreign patients were. Of native Korean patients, 1.2% ran away while 8.7% of the foreign patients did. Conclusion: Stabbing was the most common cause of penetrating wounds in foreigner patients in this study. Intentional trauma was more common in foreigners with penetrating wounds than in native Koreans. The severity was higher in foreigners with penetrating wounds than it was in native Koreans, and patients who ran away or were discharged against medical advice were more commonly foreigners with penetrating wounds. Social insurance or policy is needed for the management of foreigners with penetrating wounds.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.40-46
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• 2019

Purpose: We perform an analysis of infection risk factors for fracture patients and confirm that the risk factors reported in previous studies increase the risk of actual infection among fractured patients. In addition, injury severity score (ISS) which is used as an evaluation tool for morbidity of trauma patients, confirms whether there is a relationship with infection after orthopedic fracture surgery. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 1,818 patients who underwent fixation surgery at orthopedic trauma team, focused trauma center from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017. Thirty-five patients were infected after fracture surgery. We analyzed age, sex, open fracture criteria based on Gustilo-Aderson classification 3b, anatomical location (upper extremity or lower extremity) of fracture, diabetes, smoking, ISS. Results: Of 1,818 patients, 35 (1.9%) were diagnosed with postoperative infection. Of the 35 infected patients, nine (25.7%) were female and five (14.0%) were upper extremity fractures. Three (8.6%) were diagnosed with diabetes and eight (22.8%) were smokers. Thirteen (37.1%) had ISS less than nine points and six (17.1%) had ISS 15 points or more. Of 1,818 patients, 80 had open fractures. Surgical site infection were diagnosed in 12 (15.0%) of 80. And nine of 12 were checked with Gustilo-Aderson classification 3b or more. Linear logistic regression analysis was performed using statistical analysis program Stata 15 (Stata Corporation, College Station, TX, USA). In addition, independent variables were logistic regression analyzed individually after Propensity scores matching. In all statistical analyzes, only open fracture was identified as a risk factor. Conclusions: The risk factors for infection in fracture patients were found to be significantly influenced by open fracture rather than the underlying disease or anatomical feature of the patient. In the case of ISS, it is considered that there is a limitation. It is necessary to develop a new scoring system that can appropriately approach the morbidity of fracture trauma patients.

• 한국응급구조학회지
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.67-76
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• 2020

Purpose: Effective time management, as well as life-saving care, are important in maximizing the prognosis of patients who have sustained major traumas. This study evaluated the appropriateness of emergency medical system (EMS) provider's essential care and how this care impacted on-scene time in patients with major traumas. Methods: This retrospective observational study analyzed the EMS major trauma documents, classified according to the physiological criteria (Glasgow coma scale <14, systolic blood pressure <90mmHg, Respiration rate <10 or >29) in Daejeon, from January, 2015 to December, 2018. Results: Of the 707 major trauma cases, the mean on-scene time was 7.75±4.64 minutes. According to EMS guidelines, essential care accuracy was 67.5% for basic airway, 36.4% for advanced airway, 91.2% for cervical collar, 81.5% for supplemental oxygen, 47.0% for positive pressure ventilation, 19.9% for intravenous access and fluid administration, and 96.0% for external hemorrhage control. Factors affecting on-scene time were positive pressure ventilation (p<.004), and intravenous access and fluid administration (p<.002). Conclusion: Adherence to guidelines was low during advanced airway procedures, positive pressure ventilation, intravenous access, and fluid administration. In addition, the on-scene time was prolonged when the practitioner provided positive pressure ventilation, intravenous access, and fluid administration; however, these durations did not exceed the recommended 10 minutes.