Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This study applies Green and Brocks (2002) concept of transportation into narrative to cultivation theory (Gerbner, et al. 2002). Using transportation as an indicator of intensity of the viewing experience, the relationships between genre-specific 2nd order attitudes and 1st order estimates and exposure to exemplars of genres were investigated. Viewing intensity was analyzed relative to single exposure effects, in the form of transportation, and long-term cultivation effects, in the form of a viewer’s transportability – tendency to be transported into stories. Participants (162) completed instruments measuring transportability, genre-related (romantic comedy, science fiction, and crime thriller) social judgments, and viewing measures. One week later they began three evenings of viewing films from each genre and completing instruments measuring transportation and genre-related social judgments. Results indicate that the extent to which viewers were transported while viewing a film was related to attitudes and estimates typically addressed in the genre. Also, transportability predicted long-term genre-specific cultivation judgments.

Publication Type: Abstract
Abstract: Objective. To evaluate the safety of intravenous fentanyl when administered to adults in pain from medical illnesses or traumatic injuries during ground, interfacility transports by a critical care transport team. Methods. Patient care reports (PCRs) were analyzed retrospectively. A quasi-experimental design (one-group pretest-posttest design) was applied to pre-fentanyl and post-fentanyl measurements of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), and oxygen saturation (SpO2). A paired t test (α2) comparison of pre-fentanyl and post-fentanyl measurements of the above parameters was applied to determine any statistically and clinically significant changes (p<0.05 and 95% CI, respectively) between the pre-fentanyl and post-fentanyl mean measurements. A complete review of each PCR searched for any side effects/complications possibly attributed to intravenous fentanyl administration. The identification of stability of hemodynamics and oxygenation, and minimal side effects/complications following its administration, was considered evidence of intravenous fentanyl’s safety in this setting. Results. Of the thirty-three PCRs analyzed, there were minimal statistically and no clinically significant (as interpreted by this researcher) changes between the pre-fentanyl and post-fentanyl mean measurements of the above parameters. Only one patient had a change in mental status and subsequently received naloxone; one patient’s HR decreased to 50 beats/min. transiently; one patient’s SpO2 decreased to 94% transiently; one patient complained of transient "warmness," and one patient of feeling "sleepy." Conclusion. The above findings seem to substantiate the safety profile of intravenous fentanyl in this setting; however, the findings should be interpreted with caution in light of the limitations of this very preliminary study.

Publication Type: Abstract
Abstract: Objective: Processing and analysis of continuous physiologic numeric and waveform data has been shown to predict mortality and injury severity in trauma patients. The purpose of this study is to verify and validate the ability of “The Trauma Vitals System” to capture continuous prehospital physiologic data in helicopter transported trauma patients. Methods: A random cohort of 5 trauma patients transported by the Life Flight service to the Memorial Hermann Hospital Level I Trauma Center was used. Validation of the data was performed by comparison of the incident trend data printed by a PIC 50 (Welch Allyn) monitor with the values recorded for the different vital signs on the emergency run sheet, and the values derived from a memory card in the PIC 50. Monitor data streams consisted of both waveform data representing the digitized values of the sampled waveform and numeric values consisting of the monitor interpreted values for the attached sensors. PIC 50 datasets were stored in the built-in memory card. Numeric data were obtained every 3 minutes from the event queue generated by the monitor. All waveforms were captured at 375Hz. Included in the numeric data collection set were the mean, systolic, and diastolic non-invasive blood pressures, the ECG derived heart rate, SpO2, respiration rate and end-tidal CO2 values. Waveform validation included high frequency ECG collection. Results: Data validation testing of the PIC 50 monitor reveals no discernible difference between the real time displayed data and the data recorded on linear flash mounted on the local memory card. Data recorded on the memory card matches exactly to data shown on the screen during the incident in addition to matching with the data values printed by the built-in printer for real time trends and incident summaries. Continuous ECG waveform was successfully captured by the monitor on the memory card and allowed for enhanced interpretation for the entire prehospital period. Conclusion: The trauma vitals system was found to reliably capture and store continuous prehospital physiologic data which may serve to improve triage and treatment strategies for trauma patients.

Publication Type: Abstract
Abstract: PURPOSE: Minor injury accounts for 36% of all adult EMS transports, however, to date, no studies have determined the characteristics of these patients--such information is critical in determining the most efficient and appropriate way to care for these patients. The purpose of this study is to determine the characteristics of pre-hospital patients with minor injury transported to the ED. METHODS: Secondary analysis of prospective cohort study of adult injury patients treated and released from a community hospital ED. The EMS system consisted of a mixed suburban/rural population with approximately 24,000 transports annually by Advanced Life Support ambulance. Prehospital Care Reports (PCR) provided patient, scene and vehicle characteristics, prehospital interventions and their indications. Injury severity scores (ISS) calculated from ED records. RESULTS: 130 patients were included in this study. Average age was 41 years old. 55% were female, 78% were white, 15% African-American, 4% Hispanic, and others races constituted 4% of the study population. 82% of participants had ISS ≤3 and 91% had GCS=15. 57% were involved in MVCs, 84% of those were drivers. 75% of MVC patients were restrained. 69% of MVC patients underwent spinal immobilization. Spinal immobilization (60%) was the most common intervention for all patients, due to thoraco-lumbar pain (18.5% of immobilized patients) or cervical tenderness (17%). Pulse oximetry (41%) and IV insertion (27%) were also common. Mean initial and final pain ratings were 4.7/10 (4.03 – 5.33) and 5.3/10 (4.50 – 6.17) respectively. 47% of patients with qualitative pain information reported moderate to severe pain. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that being involved in a MVC with suspicion of spinal injury is a major reason for EMS transport of a minor injury patient. Furthermore, relief of pain may be an important outcome parameter in the treatment of minor injury patients transported by EMS. Selection bias and limits to generalizability are the major limitations of this study. Future studies should be conducted to determine how to most effectively evaluate and treat this substantial portion of prehospital patients.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Along with the development of the Chinese economy and the transaction of the social configuration, the middle class has grown in China, and consequently private car ownership is increasing. Everyday one thousand new cars appear on the street in Beijng. As the private cars increases, major cities in China suffer from the traffic issues, current transportation policies only favor the rich and higher class, and urgent road investments and expansion can only ease but cannot solve the problem. Furthermore, in China the proportion of using public transportation is lower than 10%, even in the big cities it is around 20%, which is slightly lower than European, South American and Japanese cities. Furthermore, the Chinese government has no enough investment in the public transportation, this point is one of the key steps to resolve the transportation problem. This paper will discuss the democratization progress and the sustainable development of the Chinese urban transportation planning from the different perspectives, such as the democratization of the urban transportation planning, the rationalized resource allocation, and the advancement of the environment quality.