Trauma Imaging The role of ATLS during the Golden Hour - 275 Words

Trauma Imaging: The role of ATLS during the Golden Hour (Essay Sample) Content: Students NameSchool NameCourse TitleProfessors NameDateTrauma ImagingTrauma has been the primary cause of death resulting from unexpected violent events in the cause of peoples lives. Normally, such events result to uncontrollable emotional responses that may manifest themselves in form of flashbacks, and sore emotions. Johnson (2009) explains that blunt, penetrating and explosive events pose as the main causes of traumatic injuries. In the event of a traumatic occurrence, it is vital for the injured person to receive rapid diagnosis and treatment within the first hour after the incidence, as this ensures the likelihood of survival. This hour (period), where diagnosis and treatment is administered to ensure high survival, is defined as the Golden Hour. The chances of a victim surviving are usually totally dependent during this hour, and it is the mandate of the health care professionals to ensure that necessary treatment is administered; not only to treat the victim, but to also prevent further complications, such as the risk of disability.The role of ATLS during the Golden HourATLS primary focus rotates around assessing the condition of the patient/victim, resuscitating or stabilizing them, and establishing whether they need further advanced medical treatment. In order to correctly assess the course of action to be taken, the medical team is required to rightfully determine the cause of the traumatic injury. Traumatic injuries may either be less severe or life threatening, and determining whether it is less severe or life threatening is important in dictating the course of action to be taken. Less severe traumatic injuries usually leave the victim conscious, and he/she is usually able to talk and respond to questions asked by the medical team. This gives the medical team a clear perspective on how the injury occurred and diagnosis is achieved in a timely manner. Usually, it involves imaging of the affected regions to determine the severity of the injury and hence administer the correct treatment, saving the victims life.However, severe life threatening traumatic injuries usually leave the victim unconscious, making diagnosis relatively difficult. It is in such instances that ATLS plays a major role in saving the victims life as the diagnosis remains relatively ambiguous. During this golden hour, after a severe traumatic injury, the medical team hastily and carefully evaluates the victims situation. The vital signs are thoroughly checked and stabilized/normalized and a head-to-toe assessment is carried out to correctly set diagnosis required for the adequate therapy procedure.If resuscitation seems-unimportant at this stage, then ultra-sonography and chest films are carried out. The importance of doing ultra-sonography is to detect abdominal fluids and determine which organs have been ruptured, while a chest film is essential in providing information about the victims cardio-pulmonary status. Victims of severe traumatic i njuries, due to their unconscious state, have to be subjected to these tests so as to enable the medical team to get a clear picture of their condition, in order to act fast and accordingly; therefore, these scans play a vital role (Drabek et al. 1971)In the recent time, technological advancements have allowed for full body scans to be done within minutes, and modern medical facilities are usually equipped with such facilities. Timely diagnosis, therefore, is achieved and the correct therapy procedures executed, saving the victims life. In less severe traumatic injuries however, imaging is targeted to the affected organs and a timely diagnosis and therapy is achieved. It is therefore important to carry out ALTS in the golden hour effectively, increasing the chances of the victims survival.The concept of trimodal distribution of deathDeaths resulting from trauma normally have a trimodal distribution, in that, they may occur within three stages- the first peak, second peak and third p eak. Within the first peak, death usually occurs within minutes of injury. This is usually attributed to major injuries in the vascular and neurological organs. In the instance of attending to victims in the first peak, the medical team has little or no control in preventing the death of the victim. Deaths in the second peak usually occur within the hour after the traumatic injury. It is usually attributed to major abdominal or thoracic injuries or intracranial hematoma. The ATLS methodology primarily focuses on preventing deaths at this stage as their intervention and treatment usually result to positive outcomes in saving the victims life. During the final stage, the third peak, deaths usually occur after an indefinite period of time following the traumatic injury. It is normally attributed to multiple organ failure and sepsis.Role of conventional imaging in trauma radiographyTrauma radiology plays an important role in decreasing the number of casualties for victims of a traumatic injury. Rapid transportation to a hospital or medical clinic ensures the effectiveness of trauma radiology. Once the victim arrives at a hospital, a radiologist needs to be present and ready for carrying out the necessary tests. Multiple x-rays are usually the first steps a radiologist undertakes, focusing on the chest and the pelvic and lateral spine. Further radiology tests are only carried out in case further complications are detected and the need for carrying out these tests determined. Medical employees carrying out the trauma imaging radiation need to work within the confines of regulations which require them to perform the imaging process in a competent manner, following procedure and the required referral criteria. This is because; they are solely responsible for the radiation dosage and the outcomes that arise from the procedure.Training and responsibility required for a radiographerThe medical perception on how a professional radiographer should perform his tasks plays a n important role in dictating the expectation and training required from the medical personnel performing their duties as radiologists. With advancement in technology, it has become very important for radiologists to be adequately trained in performing necessary tasks and responsibilities effectively.Macgough et al. (2005) explains that an effective radiographer needs to act in a professional and organized manner in order to perform his/her tasks to the expected standards. Formative formal education has been put in place by medical training institutions to ensure that radiologists are at par with new technological equipment used in radiology imaging, thus ensuring proper decision making by radiologists in terms of diagnosis and managing critically unwell patients. In recent times, radiologists have acquired extended roles and advanced practices in their undertakings. Radiologists have assumed the responsibility of referring victims of traumatic injuries to additional imaging in the result of an abnormal outcome from a scan. According to Snaith and Hardy, the decision-making process and expertise practices need to be undertaken by medical staff. Therefore, a radiologist needs to carry out all the necessary imaging procedures in a professional manner and produce accurate scans required for diagnosis.A major role assumed by radiologists is the sole responsibility of the outcomes of a scan. This ensures that in the event of a misdiagnosis from his scans, he is held responsible for the outcome of the patients health. Training a radiologist comprises both medical training, prior to the radiologist title, and continued training in the course of their practice. This ensures that they remain relevant to the ever-changing medical advancements and procedures in the medical sphere. Educational programs equip the radiologist with adequate training and information on how to perform his/her tasks.Role of Ultrasound and CT imaging in respect to the detection of free abdominal fluidIn the event of abdominal trauma, it is important to carry out examinations focusing on abrasions to the abdominal wall and fractures on the chest ribs. If doctors aim for a favorable outcome, then ultrasound and CT imaging becomes very vital in the treatment procedure. Since the sixties, doctors have been employing the use of CT scans and ultrasound to detect abdominal fluids. These two techniques have been pivotal in diagnosing blunt abdominal trauma allowing for necessary treatment procedures to be applied to the victim. In choosing these methods, it is first important to ascertain the stability of the patient first and the severity of the abdominal injury so as to ascertain if a treatment modality for the diagnosis is available.Dittrich et al. (2004) explains that ultrasound and CT scans have a relatively high sensitivity, in some cases up to 100% sensitivity in detecting abdominal fluids around the liver and spleen. Detection of this fluid alerts the doctor that the victi m of the traumatic injury requires a laparotomy. Despite The finding of free intraperitoneal fluid in a hypertensive patient alerts the treating doctor that the patient may need an urgent laparotomy. However, there are some limitations in the use of these techniques, such as the inability of ultrasound waves to penetrate the patients abdomen and this in most cases makes it very difficult to visualize the abdominal structures especially in cases where the victims abdomen containssurgicalemphysema.Ultrasonography also is effective in detecting abdominal fluids but most times lacks the differentiation aspect to clearly distinguish between bile, urine and blood. As a result of this, medical experts have to correlate the findings from sonography with clinical findings to arrive at a suitable diagnosis and treatment course (Branney et al.,...

2016 Common App Supplemental Essays Columbia University

This post about the Columbia  supplement to the Common Application is part of a series of posts written to help you complete the 2016 Common Application supplement for Ivy League and other top schools.    In addition to the basic Common Application essay, the Ivy League schools require supplemental essay responses. These extra essays help these elite schools gain a deeper understanding of the applicant. They are your opportunity to explain how the school is a good match for you and vise versa. These schools want to know what is important to you and how they fit into your future goals! Note that you can apply via the Common Application or the Columbia First-Year Application. The school has no preference; however, applicants can only submit ONE of the applications. When addressing each prompt, consider the overall character and focus of the school in relationship to your personal objectives. Visit the school website, read about their educational mission, and think about how the school supports your interests. Columbia takes pride in the synergy created between its diverse residential student population and its location in the heart of bustling New York City. It also embraces a rich educational tradition in its interdepartmental Core Curriculum that encourages creative critical thinking by encompassing writing, science, philosophy, literature, art, music, and history. In 150 words or fewer, please briefly describe which single activity listed in the Activity section of your application are you most proud of and why? This is an opportunity to highlight one of the activities you listed on your Common Application. Select an activity that reveals something important to you. This may be something you have been involved with for years or an experience that exposed you to something novel. Whichever activity you select, make sure to convey your enthusiasm and what it reflects about you. If appropriate, tie your interests to opportunities available at Columbia and in NYC. List the titles of the required readings from courses during the school year or summer that you enjoyed most in the past year. (150 words or fewer) This is an opportunity to showcase a particular area of interest to you. Consider classes, which you discovered something new and exciting, allowed you to explore a previous area of interest in more depth, or covered a topic that helped you see the world in a different way. List the titles of the books you read for pleasure that you enjoyed most in the past year. (150 words or fewer) The admissions committee wants to know the sorts of topics that you find interesting. What better way than to share your recent favorite books? They are trying to gain a deeper sense of who you are and how you might fit in at Columbia. This list sheds some light on how you spend your spare time. List the titles of the print, electronic publications you read regularly. (150 words or fewer) The sources of information and media you engage with routinely provide insights into how you perceive the world. This list to some degree demonstrates what topics are important to you. It also indicates the modes of information exchange you find most comfortable. List the titles of the films, concerts, shows, exhibits, lectures and other entertainments you enjoyed most in the past year. (150 words or  fewer) This list is allows you to tell the admissions committee the sorts of activities you do for fun! Your responses suggest the kinds of activities that may appeal to you at Columbia and provide insight about how you engage the world around you. Tell us what you find most appealing about Columbia and why. (300 words or fewer) This is a very important question. You need to convince the admissions committee that Columbia is the best school to help you meet your goals. You also have to show them how you can enrich the dynamic educational environment at Columbia. Discuss what excites you most about the Columbia experience. They want to know what kind of student you might be at Columbia. Columbia University requires additional essay responses for students applying to Columbia College and The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science: If you are applying to Columbia College, tell us what from your current and past experiences (either academic or personal) attracts you specifically to the field or fields of study that you noted in the Member Questions section. If you are currently undecided, please write about any field or fields in which you may have an interest at this time. (300 words or fewer) If you are applying to The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, please tell us what from your current and past experiences (either academic or personal) attracts you specifically to the field or fields of study that you noted in the Member Questions section. (300 words or fewer) Both of these prompts ask you to consider your interests and experiences that helped you determine your specific career path. If you are truly undecided, in the Columbia College response, focus on the areas you are currently interested in, what excites you about those topics, and your hopes for the future. These prompts ask you to think broadly about your life experience as well as provide specific examples of how these experiences affected your interests and propelled you toward a particular area of study. Your discussion should reveal your passion for the subject. Remember to include why the program at Columbia is the best match to help you achieve your goals. In addition to essay responses, Columbia requests the following lists. As you select required readings, books, and other forms of media, think about the breadth and depth of your interests. Consider how your selections represent your identity, reflect your intellect and curiosity, relate to Columbia’s Core Curriculum requirements, and make you a good match for the overall educational experience at Columbia. The admissions website clearly states Columbia’s commitment to a holistic approach to the admission process: â€Å"every single application is given a thorough review, and there is positively no minimum grade point average, class rank, or SAT/ACT score one must obtain in order to secure admission to Columbia.† That said Columbia has a highly competitive applicant pool. It received 36,250 undergraduate applications for the class of 2019. Only 2,222 or 6.1% were offered admission and over 90% of students admitted were in the top 10% of their high school class with average SAT scores of 2245 and an average ACT score of 33. Your essays make you more than a number. In this environment it is essential to remain calm and focused. Keep in mind, while adhering to the designated word limits and deadlines, your goal is to distinguish yourself from your peers by sharing your personal examples, anecdotes, and perspectives. In short, by providing sincere insight into what makes you, you! And why you are a good match for Columbia! Be sure to allow yourself appropriate time to reflect on your educational goals and to convey your best self to the admissions committee through your essay responses. By Marie Todd, Accepteds college admissions specialist. Marie has worked in college admissions for over twenty years. She has both counseled applicants and evaluated applications. Most recently she evaluated 5000+ applications for the University of Michigan’s College of Literature, Science and the Arts; College of Engineering; School of Kinesiology. She is available to assist you (or your child) with your applications. Related Resources: †¢   Tips for Answering Common Application Essay Prompts †¢   Tips for Answering Brown University Supplemental Essay Prompts †¢   7 Signs an Experience Belongs in Your Application Essay