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Initially used in trauma management, delayed abdominal closure endeavors to decrease operative time during the index operation while still being lifesaving. Its use in emergency general surgery is increasing, but the data evaluating its outcome are sparse. We aimed to study the association between delayed abdominal closure, mortality, morbidity, and length of stay in an emergency surgery cohort.The 2013 to 2017 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was examined for patients undergoing emergency laparotomy. The patients were classified by the timing of abdominal wall closure: delayed fascial closure versus immediate fascial closure. Propensity score matching was performed based on preoperative covariates, wound classification, and performance of bowel resection. The outcomes were then compared by univariable analysis.After matching, both the delayed fascial closure and immediate fascial closure groups consisted of 3,354 patients each. Median age was 65 years, and 52.6% were female. The delayed fascial closure group had a higher in-hospital mortality (35.3% vs 25.0%, Plt; .001), a higher 30-day mortality (38.6% vs 29.0%, Plt; .001), a higher proportion of acute kidney injury (9.5% vs 6.6%, Plt; .001), a lower proportion of postoperative sepsis (11.8% vs 15.6%, Plt; .001), and a lower proportion of surgical site infection (3.4% vs 7.0%, Plt; .001).Compared with immediate fascial closure, delayed fascial closure is associated with an increased mortality in the patients matched based on comorbidities and surgical site contamination. In emergency general surgery, delaying abdominal closure may not have the presumed overarching benefits, and its indications must be further defined in this population.

In military combat settings, noncompressible closed cavity exsanguination is the leading cause of potentially survivable deaths, with no effective treatment available at point of injury. The aim of this study was to assess whether an expanding foam based on hydrophobically modified chitosan (hm-chitosan) may be used as a locally injectable hemostatic agent for the treatment of noncompressible bleeding in a swine model.A closed-cavity, grade V hepato-portal injury was created in all animals resulting in massive noncoagulopathic, noncompressible bleeding. Animals received either fluid resuscitation alone (control, n = 8) or fluid resuscitation plus intraperitoneal hm-chitosan agent through an umbilical port (experimental, n = 18). The experiment was terminated at 180 minutes or death (defined as end-tidal COAll animals had profound hypotension and experienced a near-arrest from hypovolemic shock (mean MAP = 24 mmHg at 10 minutes). Mean survival time was higher than 150 minutes in the experimental arm versus 27 minutes in the control arm (P.001). Three-hour survival was 72% in the experimental group and 0% in the control group (P = .002). Hm-chitosan stabilized rising lactate, preventing acute lethal acidosis. MAP improved drastically after deployment of the hm-chitosan and was preserved at 60 mmHg throughout the 3 hours. Postmortem examination was performed in all animals and the hepatoportal injuries were anatomically similar.Intraperitoneal administration of hm-chitosan-based foam for massive, noncompressible abdominal bleeding improves survival in a lethal, closed-cavity swine model. Chronic safety and toxicity studies are required.

The intersection of program management and acquisition research remains undeveloped. Within both research domains there is limited recognition of how senior and project managers frame change and influence the meaning construction of others in complex and ambiguous situations. We investigate how sensemaking and sensegiving alternate within an acquisition program during ten Indian acquisitions. Our resulting model highlights how sensemaking and sensegiving interface and blend across different projects (e.g., functional or task-based) to build shared meaning and maintain business continuity. Viewing acquisitions as programs, consisting of interrelated projects, disentangles how senior managers create shared meaning. Additional implications for research and management practice are identified.

Three 2-year field studies were conducted to evaluate 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) as a suppressant of suckers in European hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.). Treatments were basal-directed applications of NAA at 5, 10, and 20 g·L−1 a.i. applied once per season, and two sequential applications of NAA 10 g·L−1 a.i., 28 days apart, compared with 2,4-D (3.8 g·L−1 acid equivalent), and a nontreated control. Treatments were applied early in spring and repeated the following year. Both NAA and 2,4-D delayed sucker growth by 1.2- to 3.0-fold compared with the nontreated control, and response varied with experimental site and year. Sequential treatments of NAA significantly reduced sucker height and fresh weight 120 days after treatment. NAA applied in sequential treatments increased tree trunk cross-sectional area and canopy volume in two of the three experimental sites. Yield of hazelnuts increased when suckers were removed with NAA or 2,4-D compared with nontreated. Results indicate that NAA is an effective option to control suckers in hazelnuts and can help reduce herbicide and labor in sucker control.

Background Body mass index (BMI) does not reliably predict Surgical site infections (SSI). We hypothesize that abdominal wall thickness (AWT) would serve as a better predictor of SSI for patients undergoing emergency colon operations. Methods We retrospectively evaluated our Emergency Surgery Database (2007-2018). Emergency colon operations for any indication were included. AWT was measured by pre-operative CT scans at 5 locations. Only superficial and deep SSIs were considered as SSI in the analysis. Univariate then multivariable analyses were used to determine predictors of SSI. Results 236 patients met inclusion criteria. The incidence of post-operative SSI was 25.8% and the median BMI was 25.8kg/m2 [22.5-30.1]. The median AWT between patients with and without SSI was significantly different (2.1cm [1.4, 2.8] and 1.8cm [1.2, 2.5], respectively). A higher BMI trended toward increased rates of SSI, but this was not statistically significant. In overweight (BMI 25-29.9kg/m2) and obese (BMI ≥30kg/m2) patients, SSI versus no SSI rates were (50.0% versus 41.9% and 47.4% versus 36.4%, P = 0.365 and 0.230) respectively. The incidence of SSI in patients with an average AWT Conclusions AWT is a better predictor of SSI than BMI. Preoperative imaging of AWT may direct intraoperative decisions regarding wound management. Future clinical outcomes research in emergency surgery should include abdominal wall thickness as an important patient variable.

BACKGROUND: The long-term effects of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) ligation on cardiovascular structure following kidney transplantation remain uncertain. A prospective randomized, controlled trial (RCT) examined the effect of AVF ligation at 6 months on cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR)–derived parameters in 27 kidney transplant recipients compared with 27 controls. A mean decrease in left ventricular mass (LVM) of 22.1 g (95% CI, 15.0 to 29.1) was observed compared with an increase of 1.2 g (95% CI, −4.8 to 7.2) in the control group (P

When firms announce a merger or acquisition, shareholders, analysts, and the media respond. Firms are less likely to complete a deal when those reactions are negative. We, however, uncover a scenario where the opposite occurs. When short interest (i.e., the percentage of shares shorted) increases following announcement of a deal, managers at firms become more likely to complete the deal. We theorize that short selling after deal announcement constitutes an ego threat to managers that induces escalation of commitment. This is because short sellers are adversarial, or they win when stock prices fall. Moreover, we argue that this managerial response is heightened in situations where managers are more likely to be defensive about their decisions, such as when the deal is large or the target firm is publicly-traded. Our empirical findings lend support to the arguments.

Although business restructuring occurs frequently and it is important for the prosperity of family firms across generations, research on family firms has largely evolved separately from research on business restructuring. This is a missed opportunity, since the two domains are complementary, and understanding the context, process, content, and outcome dimensions is relevant to both research streams. We address this by examining the intersection between research on business restructuring and family firms to improve our knowledge of each area and inform future research. To achieve this goal, we review and organize research across different dimensions to create an integrative framework. Building on current research, we focus on 88 studies at the intersection of family firm and business restructuring research to develop a model that identifies research needs and suggests directions for future research.

Background In-field triage tools for trauma patients are limited by availability of information, linear risk classification, and a lack of confidence reporting. We therefore set out to develop and test a machine learning algorithm that can overcome these limitations by accurately and confidently making predictions to support in-field triage in the first hours after traumatic injury. Methods Using an American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program-derived database of truncal and junctional gunshot wound (GSW) patients (aged 16-60 years), we trained an information-aware Dirichlet deep neural network (field artificial intelligence triage). Using supervised training, field artificial intelligence triage was trained to predict shock and the need for major hemorrhage control procedures or early massive transfusion (MT) using GSW anatomical locations, vital signs, and patient information available in the field. In parallel, a confidence model was developed to predict the true-class probability (scale of 0-1), indicating the likelihood that the prediction made was correct, based on the values and interconnectivity of input variables. Results A total of 29,816 patients met all the inclusion criteria. Shock, major surgery, and early MT were identified in 13.0%, 22.4%, and 6.3% of the included patients, respectively. Field artificial intelligence triage achieved mean areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.89, 0.86, and 0.82 for prediction of shock, early MT, and major surgery, respectively, for 80/20 train-test splits over 1,000 epochs. Mean predicted true-class probability for errors/correct predictions was 0.25/0.87 for shock, 0.30/0.81 for MT, and 0.24/0.69 for major surgery. Conclusion Field artificial intelligence triage accurately identifies potential shock in truncal GSW patients and predicts their need for MT and major surgery, with a high degree of certainty. The presented model is an important proof of concept. Future iterations will use an expansion of databases to refine and validate the model, further adding to its potential to improve triage in the field, both in civilian and military settings. Level of evidence Prognostic, Level III.

PurposeThe goal of this study is to examine the association between managers' sexually-oriented behavior in publicly traded firms and subsequent stock market reactions. Both sexual harassment and nonharassing sexually-oriented behavior (i.e. workplace romance) are associated with negative shareholder reactions. The authors also examine factors that may alter the stock market reaction and those that may reduce the risk of lawsuit in sexual harassment cases.Design/methodology/approachInformation about incidents of sexually-oriented behavior was collected from media reports and content coded. An event study with a stock market reaction was used to measure the impact of disclosed sexually-oriented behaviors. Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between incident characteristics and sexual harassment lawsuits.FindingsDisclosure of managers' sexually-oriented behavior is associated with a negative stock market reaction. Interestingly, the reaction was not more severe for sexual harassment disclosures compared to nonharassing behavior (i.e. workplace romance). Results also suggest that terminating a manager prior to disclosure of an event is negatively related to a harassment lawsuit.Originality/valueThe authors report this as the first study to focus on the stock market reaction of sexually-oriented harassing and nonharassing behavior of managers. This work complements research that documents the negative impact of sexual harassment on individuals by demonstrating these behaviors are associated with loss and risk at an organizational level.

BACKGROUND: We sought to describe characteristics, multisystem outcomes, and predictors of mortality of the critically ill COVID-19 patients in the largest hospital in Massachusetts. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study. All patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction-confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection between March 14, 2020, and April 28, 2020, were included; hospital and multisystem outcomes were evaluated. Data were collected from electronic records. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) was defined as PaO2/FiO2 ratio of ≤300 during admission and bilateral radiographic pulmonary opacities. Multivariable logistic regression analyses adjusting for available confounders were performed to identify predictors of mortality. RESULTS: A total of 235 patients were included. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score was 5 (3-8), and the median (IQR) PaO2/FiO2 was 208 (146-300) with 86.4% of patients meeting criteria for ARDS. The median (IQR) follow-up was 92 (86-99) days, and the median ICU length of stay was 16 (8-25) days; 62.1% of patients were proned, 49.8% required neuromuscular blockade, and 3.4% required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The most common complications were shock (88.9%), acute kidney injury (AKI) (69.8%), secondary bacterial pneumonia (70.6%), and pressure ulcers (51.1%). As of July 8, 2020, 175 patients (74.5%) were discharged alive (61.7% to skilled nursing or rehabilitation facility), 58 (24.7%) died in the hospital, and only 2 patients were still hospitalized, but out of the ICU. Age (odds ratio [OR], 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.12), higher median Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score at ICU admission (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.06-1.43), elevated creatine kinase of ≥1,000 U/L at hospital admission (OR, 6.64; 95% CI, 1.51-29.17), and severe ARDS (OR, 5.24; 95% CI, 1.18-23.29) independently predicted hospital mortality.Comorbidities, steroids, and hydroxychloroquine treatment did not predict mortality. CONCLUSION: We present here the outcomes of critically ill patients with COVID-19. Age, acuity of disease, and severe ARDS predicted mortality rather than comorbidities. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic, level III.

Introduction Scarcity of operating rooms and personal protective equipment in far-forward field settings make surgical infections a potential concern for combat mortality and morbidity. Surgical and transport personnel also face infectious risks from bodily fluid exposures. Our study aimed to describe the serial, proof-of-concept testing of the SurgiBox technology: an inflatable sterile environment that addresses the aforementioned problems, fits on gurneys and backpacks, and drapes over incisions. Materials and Methods The SurgiBox environmental control unit and inflatable enclosure were optimized over five generations based on iterative feedback from stakeholders experienced in surgery in austere settings. The airflow system was developed by analytic modeling, verified through in silico modeling in SOLIDWORKS, and confirmed with prototype smoke-trail checking. Particulate counts evaluated the enclosure’s ability to control and mitigate users’ exposures to potentially infectious contaminants from the surgical field in various settings. SurgiBox enclosures were setup over a mannequin’s torso, in a configuration and position for either thoracic or abdominal surgery. A particle counter was serially positioned in sternotomy and laparotomy positions, as well as bilateral flank positions. This setup was repeated with open ports exposing the enclosure to the external environment. To simulate stress scenarios, sampling was repeated with enclosure measurements during an increase in external particulate concentration. Results The airflow technology effectively kept contaminants away from the incision and maintained a pressure differential to reduce particle entry. Benchtop testing demonstrated that even when ports were opened or the external environment had high contaminant burden, the enclosed surgical field consistently registered 0 particle count in all positions. Time from kit opening to incision averaged 54.5 seconds, with the rate-limiting step being connecting the environmental control unit to the enclosure. The portable kit weighted 5.9 lbs. Conclusions Analytic, in silico, and mechanical airflow modeling and benchtop testing have helped to quantify the SurgiBox system’s reliability in creating and maintaining an operating room-quality surgical field within the enclosure as well as protecting the surgical team outside the enclosure. More recent and ongoing work has focused on specifying optimal use settings in the casualty chain of care, expanding support for circumferential procedures, automating airflow control, and accelerating system setup. SurgiBox’s ultimate goal is to take timely, safe surgery to patients in even the most austere of settings.

Background: Early diagnosis and prompt debridement of necrotizing soft tissue infection (NSTI) improves the outcome. We sought to determine whether failure to admit NSTI patients to acute care surg...

Background Abdominal wall hernias represent a common problem that can present as surgical emergencies with increased morbidity and mortality. The data examining outcomes in elderly patients with hernia emergencies is scant. Methods The 2007-2017 ACS-NSQIP database was queried. Patients ≥65 years old with a diagnosis of acute complicated abdominal wall hernia were included. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to identify independent predictors of 30-day mortality and surgical site infection (SSI). Results Main predictors of 30-day mortality were admission from nursing home or chronic care facility (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.10-2.38, P = .014), transfer from outside ED (OR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.31-2.51, P < .001), days from admission to operation (OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02-1.08, P = .002), recent significant weight loss (OR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.12-3.37, P = .018), pre-operative septic shock (OR = 4.13, 95% CI: 2.44-6.99, P < .001), ventilator dependence (OR = 2.50, 95% CI: 1.29-4.81, P = .006), and ASA status. When compared to open repair, laparoscopic repair emerged as protective against SSI (OR = .34, 95% CI: .17-.66, P = .001). Bowel resection (OR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.63-2.84, P < .001) and increasing wound class were risk factors for SSI. Conclusion In the elderly patient presenting with an acute complicated abdominal wall hernia, time to surgery is crucial for survival, and comorbidities influence outcome. Laparoscopy is an option in management due to its decreased risk of surgical site infection without increased mortality, whenever patient factors are favorable for this approach.

Despite extensive interest in how acquisitions can increase firm competitiveness, research has given competitive retaliation to acquisitions limited attention. Consistent with process research on managerial decisions during acquisitions, we simultaneously consider the effects of retaliation and internal integration decisions on retaliation effectiveness and acquisition performance. From an international survey in Europe, we demonstrate how managerial integration decisions and the external environment influence retaliation effectiveness to acquisitions and their performance. Specifically, longer integration duration and an open M&A strategy are associated with increased retaliation effectiveness. Meanwhile, a high-level of industry M&A activity lowers it. We also confirm that increased retaliation effectiveness is associated with lower acquisition performance. These findings help balance an internal focus in acquisition research, and they clarify the performance implications of acquirer choices that may lead to competitive retaliation effectiveness, as predicted by competitive dynamics research.

As hospital systems plan for health care utilization surges and stress, understanding the necessary resources of a trauma system is essential for planning capacity. We aimed to describe trends in high-intensity resource utilization (operating room [OR] usage and intensive care unit [ICU] admissions) for trauma care during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Trauma registry data (2019 pre-COVID-19 and 2020 COVID-19) were collected retrospectively from 4 level I trauma centers. Direct emergency department (ED) disposition to the OR or ICU was used as a proxy for high-intensity resource utilization. No change in the incidence of direct ED to ICU or ED to OR utilization was observed (2019: 24%, 2020 23%; P = .62 and 2019: 11%, 2020 10%; P = .71, respectively). These results suggest the need for continued access to ICU space and OR theaters for traumatic injury during national health emergencies, even when levels of trauma appear to be decreasing.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text., Background Acute alcohol intoxication is very common in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Whether there is an independent association between alcohol intoxication and mortality is debated. This study hypothesized that alcohol intoxication is independently associated with less mortality after severe TBI (sTBI). Methods This retrospective observational cohort study included all patients with sTBI [head-Abbreviated Injury Score (AIS) ≥3, corresponding to serious head injury or worse] admitted from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2016 in an academic level I trauma center. Patients were classified as with alcohol intoxication or without intoxication based on blood alcohol concentration or description of alcohol intoxication on admission. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality. Multivariable logistic regression analysis, including patient and injury characteristics, was used to assess independent association with alcohol intoxication. Results Of the 2865 TBI patients, 715 (25%) suffered from alcohol intoxication. They were younger (mean age 46 vs. 68 years), more often male (80 vs. 57%) and had a lower median Glasgow Coma Scale upon arrival (14 vs. 15) compared to the no-intoxication group. There was no difference in injury severity by head AIS or Rotterdam CT. Alcohol intoxication had an unadjusted association with in-hospital mortality [unadjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.51; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.38–0.68]; however, there was no independent association after adjusting for potentially confounding patient and injury characteristics (adjusted OR 0.72; 95% CI, 0.48–1.09). Conclusion In this retrospective study, there was no independent association between alcohol intoxication and higher in-hospital mortality in emergency patients with sTBI.

Introduction A reversal agent for factor Xa (FXa) inhibitors, andexanet alfa, was Food and Drug Administration approved without extensive study of clinical effectiveness, due to an overwhelming demand for FXa inhibitor reversal. In this study, we aimed to describe patient selection, clinical effectiveness, and safety of FXa inhibitor reversal with andexanet alfa in patients presenting with extracranial bleeding. Methods Consecutive patients who received andexanet alfa for reversal of FXa inhibitor‐associated extracranial hemorrhage were identified. The primary outcome of interest was hemostatic efficacy, assessed using the Sarode et al criteria. Secondary outcomes of interest included incidence of thrombotic episodes post‐reversal until discharge and in‐hospital mortality. Results Twenty‐one patients met the inclusion criteria (61.9% male, mean age: 73 years). Anticoagulation reversal with andexanet alfa was deemed effective (excellent [n = 3], good [n = 7]) in 10 (47.6%) patients, and poor in 11 patients (52.4%). Eight (38.1%) patients died, of which three were surgically managed, with all causes of death attributed to hemorrhage. Six ischemic complications occurred in four patients (19.0%); ischemic stroke (n = 2], pulmonary embolism (n = 1), deep vein thrombosis (n = 1), liver ischemia (n = 1), and bowel ischemia (n = 1). Conclusion We report poor overall outcomes, a low rate of hemostatic effectiveness, and a high rate of ischemic complications and mortality in this retrospective analysis of oral FXa inhibitor reversal with andexanet alfa for extracranial bleeds. More rigorous epidemiological, and ideally randomized studies, are needed to determine the role of andexanet alfa for FXa inhibitor‐associated bleeding for extracranial hemorrhages, where large variation in severity and presentation exists.

Emergency department (ED) crowding is associated with increased mortality and delays in care. We developed a rapid admission pathway targeting critically-ill trauma patients in the ED. This study investigates the sustainability of the pathway, as well as its effectiveness in times of increased ED crowding.This was a retrospective cohort study assessing the admission of critically-ill trauma patients with and without the use of a rapid admission pathway from 2013 to 2018. We accessed demographic and clinical data from trauma registry data and ED capacity logs. Statistical analyses included univariate and multivariate testing.A total of 1700 patients were included. Of this cohort, 434 patients were admitted using the rapid admission pathway, whereas 1266 were admitted using the traditional pathway. In bivariate analysis, mean ED LOS was 1.54 h (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.41, 1.66) with the rapid pathway, compared with 5.88 h (95% CI: 5.64, 6.12) with the traditional pathway (p 0.01). We found no statistically significant relationship between rapid admission pathway use and survival to hospital discharge. During times of increased crowding, rapid pathway use continued to be associated with reduction in ED LOS (p 0.01). The reduction in ED LOS was sustained when comparing initial results (2013-2014) to recent data (2015-2018).This study found that a streamlined process to admit critically-ill trauma patients is sustainable and associated with reduction in ED LOS. As ED crowding remains pervasive, these findings support restructured care processes to limit prolonged ED boarding times for critically-ill patients.

Acquisitions are characterized by complex organization changes that create a great deal of uncertainty for employees and this hinders implementation of planned changes. While research consistently ...

Background Western Trauma Association guidelines recommend admitting patients 65 years or older with two or more rib fractures diagnosed by chest radiograph to the intensive care unit (ICU). Increased use of computed tomography has led to identification of less severe, "occult" rib fractures. We aimed to evaluate current national trends in disposition of older patients with isolated rib cage fractures and to identify characteristics of patients initially admitted to the ward who failed ward management. Methods A retrospective cohort study of patients 65 years or older with isolated two or more blunt rib cage fractures using the 2010 to 2016 American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program database was performed. Ward failure was defined as patients initially admitted to the ward with subsequent need for unplanned ICU admission or intubation. Multivariable analyses were derived to study the independent predictors of failure of ward management. Propensity score matching sub-analysis was used to assess outcomes in patients admitted to the ward versus ICU. Results There were 5,021 patients included in the analysis. Of these patients, 1,406 (28.0%) were admitted to the ICU. On multivariable analysis, age was an independent predictor of ICU admission. Of the 3,577 patients admitted directly to the ward, 38 (1.1%) patients required unplanned intubation or ICU admission. Independent predictors of failure of ward management included chronic renal failure (odds ratio [OR], 7.20; p ≤ 0.001; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.50-20.76), traumatic pneumothorax (OR, 8.70; p = 0.008; 95% CI, 1.76-42.93), concurrent sternal fracture (OR, 6.52; p ≤ 0.001; 95% CI, 2.53-16.80), drug use disorder (OR, 6.58; p = 0.032; 95% CI, 1.17-36.96), and emergency department oxygen requirement or oxygen saturation less than 95% (OR, 2.38; p = 0.018; 95% CI, 1.16-4.86). Mortality was higher in patients with delayed ICU care versus patients with successful ward disposition (21.1% vs. 0.8%; p Conclusion Our results suggest that the majority of isolated rib cage fractures in older patients are safely managed on the ward with exceedingly low ward failure rates (1.1%). Patients with failure of ward management have significantly higher mortality, and we have identified predictors of failing the ward. Level of evidence Therapeutic/Care Management, level IV; Prognostic III.

Background Despite the presence of highly reliable data, studies on packed red blood cells (pRBC):fresh frozen plasma (FFP) ratio suffer from limited sample size and the presence of survivor bias. We sought to study the association between FFP:pRBC and early mortality in the hemorrhaging trauma patient. Study Design This was a retrospective nationwide cohort that included all TQIP participating hospitals (2013 to 2016). We included all trauma patients who were transfused ≥10 pRBCs and ≥1 FFP within 24 hours. We excluded transferred patients and those who died in the emergency department or had missing/inaccurate transfusion data. Patients were assigned to 7 FFP:pRBC cohorts (range 1:1 to 1:6, and 1:6+) only if the ratio was similar at 4 and 24 hours and, to avoid survival bias, were excluded otherwise. Multivariable analyses correcting for all available confounders (age, demographics, comorbidities, vital signs, Injury Severity Score [ISS] and mechanism, procedures performed) were derived to study the independent relationship between FFP:pRBC and 24-hour mortality. Results Of 1,002,595 patients, 4,427 patients were included. Mean age was 41 years, 79% were males, 61% had blunt trauma, and median ISS was 29. Most patients were transfused in a 1:1, 1:2, or 1:3 ratio (31%, 41%, and 11%, respectively); mortality ranged between 28% for 1:1 and 62% for 1:4. In multivariable analyses, the odds of mortality independently and incrementally increased to 1.23 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.48) for a 1:2 ratio, 2.11 (95% CI 1.42 to 3.13) for 1:4, and as high as 4.11 (95% CI 2.31 to 7.31) for 1:5 (all p Conclusions A 1:1 FFP:pRBC ratio is associated with the lowest mortality in the hemorrhaging trauma patient, and mortality increases with decreasing ratios.

BACKGROUND Although smoking is associated with several postoperative complications, a possible association with surgical bleeding remains unclear. We examined if smoking is associated with a higher risk of surgical bleeding. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS We included patients from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program 2007-2016 from 680 hospitals across the United States. Patients with information on age, sex, surgical specialty, and smoking status were included. Surgical bleeding was defined as 1 or more red blood cell (RBC) units transfused intraoperatively to 72 hours postoperatively. The association between smoking and surgical bleeding was examined using logistic regressions adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, ethnicity, comorbidities, laboratory values, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, type of anesthesia, duration of surgery, work relative value unit (surrogate for operative complexity), surgical specialty, and procedure year. RESULTS A total of 5,452,411 cases were recorded, of whom 19% smoked and 6% received transfusion. Odds ratios for transfusion were 1.06 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-1.07) for smokers versus nonsmokers and 1.06 (95% CI, 1.04-1.09) for current smokers versus never-smokers. Odds ratios for cumulative smoking were 0.97 (95% CI, 0.95-1.00) for greater than 0 to 20 versus 0 pack-years, 1.04 (95% CI, 1.01-1.07) for greater than 20 to 40, and 1.12 (95% CI, 1.09-1.15) for greater than 40 (p for trend

Background Outcome data on the very elderly patients undergoing emergency general surgery (EGS) are sparse. We sought to examine short- and long-term mortality in the 80 plus years population following EGS. Methods Using our institutional 2008-2018 EGS Database, all the 80 plus years patients undergoing EGS were identified. The data were linked to the Social Security Death Index to determine cumulative mortality rates up to 3 years after discharge. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to determine predictors of in-hospital and 1-year cumulative mortality. Results A total of 385 patients were included with a mean age of 84 years; 54% were female. The two most common comorbidities were hypertension (76.1%) and cardiovascular disease (40.5%). The most common procedures performed were colectomy (20.0%), small bowel resection (18.2%), and exploratory laparotomy for other procedures (15.3%; e.g., internal hernia, perforated peptic ulcer). The overall in-hospital mortality was 18.7%. Cumulative mortality rates at 1, 2, and 3 years after discharge were 34.3%, 40.5%, and 43.4%, respectively. The EGS procedure associated with the highest 1-year mortality was colectomy (49.4%). Although hypertension, renal failure, hypoalbuminemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and elevated liver enzymes predicted in-hospital mortality, the only independent predictors of cumulative 1-year mortality were hypoalbuminemia (odds ratio, 2.17; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-4.27; p = 0.025) and elevated serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGOT) level (odds ratio, 2.56; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-4.70; p = 0.029) at initial presentation. Patients with both factors had a cumulative 1-year mortality rate of 75.0%. Conclusion More than half of the very elderly patients undergoing major EGS were still alive at 3 years postdischarge. The combination of hypoalbuminemia and elevated liver enzymes predicted the highest 1-year mortality. Such information can prove useful for patient and family counseling preoperatively. Level of evidence Prognostic, Level III.

Objective The relationship between total transfusion volume and infection in the trauma patient remains unclear, especially at lower volumes of transfusion. We sought to quantify the cumulative, independent impact of transfusion within 24 hours of admission on the risk of infection in trauma patients. Methods Using the Trauma Quality Improvement Program 2013 to 2016 database, we included all patients who received blood transfusions in the first 4 hours. Patients who were transferred or had incomplete/wrongly coded information on transfusion volume were excluded. Patients were divided into 20 cohorts based on the total blood product volume transfused in the first 24 hours. A composite infection variable (INF) was created, including surgical site infection, ventilator-associated pneumonia, urinary tract infection, central line associated blood stream infection, and sepsis. Univariate and stepwise multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to study the relationship between blood transfusion and INF, controlling for demographics (e.g., age, sex), comorbidities (e.g., cirrhosis, diabetes, steroid use), severity of injury (e.g., vital signs on arrival, mechanism, Injury Severity Score), and operative and angiographic interventions. Results Of 1,002,595 patients, 37,568 were included. The mean age was 42 ± 18.6 years, 74.6% were males, 68% had blunt trauma, and median Injury Severity Score was 25 [17-34]. Adjusting for all available confounders, odds of INF increased incrementally from 1.00 (reference, 0-2 units) to 1.23 (95% confidence interval, 1.11-1.37) for 4 units transfused to 4.89 (95% confidence interval, 2.72-8.80) for 40 units transfused. Each additional unit increased the odds of INF by 7.6%. Conclusion Transfusion of the bleeding trauma patient was associated with a dose-dependent increased risk of infectious complications. Trauma surgeons and anesthesiologists should resuscitate the trauma patient until prompt hemorrhage control while avoiding overtransfusion. Level of evidence Retrospective cohort study, Therapeutic IV.

A Woman with Hypotension and Trauma after a Motorcycle Accident A 57-year-old woman presented to the ED after a traumatic motorcycle accident. Bleeding from the pelvis and thigh resulted in hemorrh...

The objective of this study was to describe and compare the timing of cervical spine clearance in trauma patients with an unreliable physical examination. We prospectively included adult trauma patients admitted with a cervical collar and an unreliable clinical examination (as defined by the NEXUS criteria) at two level 1 trauma centers: one in the USA (US) and one in Denmark (DK). We excluded patients with cervical spine injuries requiring a collar or surgery as treatment and patients with a collar placed after hospital arrival. The primary outcome was time from emergency department (ED) arrival to collar removal. Secondary outcomes included time to CT of the cervical spine (CTCS). At the US trauma center, an institutional protocol allowing cervical spine clearance exclusively by CTCS was in place. At the Danish trauma center, cervical spine clearance was based on a clinical evaluation by an orthopedic surgeon, usually after CTCS. A total of 113 patients were included (US: n = 56; DK: n = 57). The median age was 47 years, and 68% were males. The main reasons for an unreliable physical examination were a Glasgow Coma Scale score below 14 (35%), distracting injuries (26%), cervical spine tenderness (13%) and intoxication (13%). The injury severity score at the US trauma center was higher than at the DK trauma center (median: 17 vs. 11, p = 0.03). Both time to CTCS (median: 41 vs. 18 min, p

Despite its intuitive appeal, acquisition experience has not shown a clear benefit to acquirers, and we argue the applicability of acquisition experience depends on goals and context. Using survey data, we consider the effects of applying codified experience for two common acquisition goals involving knowledge transfer and market expansion. Our findings reveal a ‘double-edged sword’ effect, where on one hand, codification mitigates negative effects of industry rivalry on knowledge transfer. However, on the other hand, codification amplifies negative effects of industry rivalry on market expansion and internal turmoil on knowledge transfer. Beyond demonstrating the importance of goals and context contingencies for determining acquisition experience effect, our results reconcile conflicting research findings to identify when codified experience is beneficial in acquisitions.