The summer vortex whirls on in Montana! During the long cold months of the year many of us yearn for warmer days but when summer arrives it seems to go by so quickly. The ED seems busier, summer trips take up big chunks of our summer months and we arrive at September so quickly. I hope all of you are finding enjoyment in these sun-soaked days while staying safe on the road, on the river or wherever your passions take you.
I have been active with the Montana State Trauma Care Committee, assisting with drafting criteria for potentially keeping more patients with mild head injuries in their communities without unnecessary transfers to higher level trauma centers. The guidelines are based on the BIG Criteria which have been validated in other trauma systems in the country but have yet to be tested in a state as rural as ours. For more information, you can check the references provided below.
ACEP Scientific Assembly is coming up next month in Salt Lake City. I would encourage attendance as this is a high-powered educational event and opportunity to network with Emergency Physicians from around the country in a town known for world class outdoor recreation. Come hike, bike or fish in the Wasatch mountains and fill your CME buckets as well. Montana ACEP is sponsoring a Chapter Breakfast on Tuesday, September 9th at 7 AM. I hope to see you all there.
Ben Beasley, MD, FACEP
Montana Chapter President
References for BIG Guidelines:
Joseph B, Friese RS, Sadoun M, Aziz H, Kulvatunyou N, Pandit V, Wynne J, Tang A, O’Keeffe T, Rhee P. The BIG (brain injury guidelines) project: defining the management of traumatic brain injury by acute care surgeons. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2014 Apr;76(4):965-9.
Khan AD, Elseth AJ, Brosius JA, Moskowitz E, Liebscher SC, Anstadt MJ, Dunn JA, McVicker JH, Schroeppel T, Gonzalez RP. Multicenter assessment of the Brain Injury
Guidelines and a proposal of guideline modifications. Trauma Surg Acute Care Open. 2020 May 28;5(1)