Trauma Performance Improvement for Trauma Medical Directors
This is the slideset for my talk about trauma performance improvement specifically for Trauma Medical Directors. It was delivered at the TCAA Trauma Medical Director Course in San Diego on November 14, 2010. Feel free to send questions to me at [email protected]
An interesting trauma ethics question today.
A Connecticut driver was charged with manslaughter last year after striking a 14 year old bicyclist and killing him. The driver, who is serving a 10 year sentence for manslaughter, is now suing the family for putting him there.
According to the prosecutor, the driver was passing another vehicle at 83 mph in a 45 mph zone. The teen was with friends who were jumping bikes at the curb of a busy street. He entered the street and was struck, sustaining multiple severe injuries and was brain dead the next day.
The driver is suing the parents for “contributory negligence” because had they “complied with the responsibilities of a parent and guardian and the laws of this state and not allowed their son to ride his bicycle without a helmet and to play out in the middle of Rt. 69 … this incident and Matthew’s death would not have happened.” He’s also asking for more than $15,000 in damages, saying he’s endured “great mental and emotional pain and suffering,” wrongful conviction and imprisonment, and the loss of his “capacity to carry on in life’s activities.”
On one hand, what is the responsibility of the teen and his family, or anyone for that matter, for taking reasonable precautions to be safe? On the other, no pedestrian, bicyclist or motorcyclist can survive an impact with a car traveling at 83 mph.
One attorney commented on the case, saying "I can see their side of it. I’m a parent. But I can also see the other side of it. If you’re driving down the street and your car makes contact with a pedestrian and you think it’s the pedestrian’s fault, you have to raise the issue.“
Interesting scenario? Read the full story and tell me who you think is right, and why?
TCAA Trauma Marketing For TMD/TPM
This handout contains the slides for the presentation on trauma marketing given at the TCAA Trauma Medical Director Conference on November 12, 2010 in San Diego. It’s focus is on marketing from the perspective of the trauma program (TMD/TPM)
TCAA Trauma Marketing For Hospital Leadership
This handout contains the slides for the presentation on trauma marketing given at the TCAA Trauma Leadership Conference on November 12, 2010 in San Diego. It’s focus is on marketing from the perspective of hospital administration and marketing departments.
An Airbag In Your Seatbelt?
Ford is introducing rear seat belts with built-in airbags in its 2011 Explorer SUV. It’s a $395 option that is designed to diffuse crash impact across a wider area of the chest. This is particularly important when strapping children in the back seat.
The system uses a cold gas system, unlike the heated gases in standard airbags that can cause minor burns. Ford plans to roll it out to additional models in later model years.
The video shows how the system works in slow motion. Very “cool”!