Showing papers by "Robert F. Lavery published in 2004"
TL;DR: Functional outcome after isolated mild TBI as measured by the Glasgow Outcome Scale and modified FIM is generally good to excellent for both elderly and younger patients.
Abstract: Objective:Elderly patients (aged 60 years and older) have been demonstrated to have an increased mortality after isolated traumatic brain injury (TBI); however, the prognosis of those patients surviving their hospitalization is unknown. We hypothesized that surviving elderly patients would also have
263 citations
TL;DR: The need for neuro-surgical intervention after a repeat cranial CT scan in patients with a persistently normal or improved neurological examination was recorded in this article, but none of these patients required neuro-medical intervention after the repeat CT scan.
Abstract: Background Patients with minimal head injury (MHI) and a cranial computed axial tomography (CAT) scan positive for the presence of intracranial injury routinely undergo a repeat CAT scan within 24 hours after injury. The value of this repeat cranial CAT scan is unclear in those patients who are neurologically normal or improving. Methods A retrospective analysis of all adult patients admitted to a level-1 trauma center with MHI and a positive cranial CAT scan during a 32-month period was performed. The need for neurosurgical intervention after repeat CAT scan in patients with a persistently normal or improved neurological examination was recorded. Results One hundred fifty-one patients had a persistently normal or improved neurological examination, but none of these patients required neurosurgical intervention after the repeat cranial CAT scan. Conclusions A persistently normal or improving neurological examination in a patient with MHI appears to exclude the need for neurosurgical intervention and thus a repeat cranial CAT scan.
69 citations
01 Jan 2004
TL;DR: A persistently normal or improving neurological examination in a patient with MHI appears to exclude the need for neurosurgical intervention and thus a repeat cranial CAT scan.
Abstract: Background: Patients with minimal head injury (MHI) and a cranial computed axial tomography (CAT) scan positive for the presence of intracranial injury routinely undergo a repeat CAT scan within 24 hours after injury. The value of this repeat cranial CAT scan is unclear in those patients who are neurologically normal or improving. Methods: A retrospective analysis of all adult patients admitted to a level-1 trauma center with MHI and a positive cranial CAT scan during a 32-month period was performed. The need for neurosurgical intervention after repeat CAT scan in patients with a persistently normal or improved neurological examination was recorded. Results: One hundred fifty-one patients had a persistently normal or improved neurological examination, but none of these patients required neurosurgical intervention after the repeat cranial CAT scan. Conclusions: A persistently normal or improving neurological examination in a patient with MHI appears to exclude the need for neurosurgical intervention and thus a repeat cranial CAT scan.
63 citations
TL;DR: Almost half the inner city ED patients in this survey have Internet access and over half were interested in being provided quality medical links as a part of their discharge paperwork, and patients more likely to want medical links were younger, college educated, and in higher salary ranges.
Abstract: This study was performed to assess inner city Emergency Department (ED) patients' use of the Internet to obtain medical information, and patients' interest in being provided medical links by their ED physician to learn more about their medical condition. A convenience sample of inner city ED patients were surveyed regarding computer/Internet access, past searches for medical information, and whether they desired medical links provided with discharge paperwork. Of 328 patients completing the survey, 178 (54%) had computers, whereas 150 (46%) had access to the Internet. Seventy-nine (24%) had previously used the World Wide Web (WWW) to obtain medical information, and 26 (33%) of these reported difficulty in obtaining useful information. One hundred ninety-two (59%) were interested or very interested in being provided links to medical sites. Patients more likely to want medical links were younger, college educated, and in higher salary ranges. There was no difference in desire to be provided links based on number of past medical problems or duration of symptoms. In conclusion, almost half the inner city ED patients in this survey have Internet access and over half were interested in being provided quality medical links as a part of their discharge paperwork.
49 citations