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W Buylaert

Publications and source records attributed to W Buylaert.

33 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Morbidity-mortality related to domestic accidents in Belgium: Epidemiology and strategy of prevention].

Home accidents, especially those occurring in children in the younger age group, are a considerable concern to the public health authorities. In addition to the informations registered on the death certificates, the EHLASS-program, i.e. European Health and Leisure Accident Surveillance System, was organized since 1986 by the European Community in order to collect data on the morbidity related to this type of accidents. In Belgium, the collection of data started in 1987, and actually four hospitals provide information. Each year, several thousands of cases are reported. This poster will summarize the Belgian situation from the two sources of data. General strategies for prevention of home accidents are proposed, and some types of intervention are suggested.

Accidents, Home↗

Predictive value of Glasgow coma score for awakening after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Cerebral Resuscitation Study Group of the Belgian Society for Intensive Care.

The Glasgow coma score (GCS) during days 1-6 after cardiac arrest was used to predict neurological outcome in 360 resuscitated victims of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. A predictive rule based on the best GCS of 216 patients resuscitated in 1983-84 (prediction group) was constructed, and its predictive power was tested on 133 patients treated in 1985 (test group). Neurological outcome was correctly predicted 2 days after cardiac arrest in 80% of the prediction group, with a best GCS of 10 or above and 4 or below as cutoff points. For patients with a best GCS of 5-9, prediction of outcome was possible 6 days after cardiac arrest, with a best GCS of 8 during the first 6 days as the single cutoff point. The rule was then validated in the test group: the sensitivity was 96%; the specificity 86%; the negative predictive value 97%; and the positive predictive value 77%. These data suggest that this simple GCS-based rule can be helpful in predicting outcome in patients resuscitated after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, but confirmation of these data is required in a prospective study in a larger number of patients.

Belgium↗

[Analysis of severely injured patients admitted via an emergency service].

Data about the number and treatment of trauma-patients are, certainly in our country, very rare. In this study we showed that such a registration with grading of the severity of the injuries following the ISS-Score is feasible and useful. Further and more extensive registration seems necessary in order to obtain a better insight in epidemiology and treatment of trauma patients in our country.

Adolescent↗

[Surgical case report: diagnosis of associated abdominal lesions in penetrating injuries of the lower chest].

We discuss the way to diagnose intra-abdominal lesions caused by penetrating objects in the lower thorax. Let us call these wounds penetrating wounds. Two kinds of penetrating wounds are considered: 1. shotwounds; 2. knifewounds. 1. In shotwounds of the lower thorax there is not any non-surgical method available to find the associated intra-abdominal lesions. In these cases the results of: 1. physical examination; 2. local wound exploration; 3. echography of the abdomen and 4. peritoneal lavage cannot be trusted. Only laparotomy can show us if any associated lesion in the abdomen exists. 2. For knifewounds we can make almost the same remarks: 1. physical examination; 2. local exploration of the lesion; 3. echography of the abdomen are not to be considered as good diagnostic tools to find the associated intra-abdominal wounds. However in this situation the results of peritoneal lavage are to be trusted. Without omitting a 24 h observation of the patient the most rational criteria for a positive peritoneal lavage are red blood cell greater than 100.000/mm3; white blood cell greater than 500/mm3.

Abdominal Injuries↗

[Activities of mobile emergency units in Ghent].

We present here the analysis of the activities of the mobile intensive care unit of the university hospital of Ghent in 1984. The call for medical intervention from the unit originated in most cases from the 900 centre. Trauma and cardiac arrest were the most frequent reasons for intervention. The majority of the interventions of the mobile unit were needed for patients at home. These data illustrate the need for orienting the medical emergency care systems towards patients at home.

Ambulances↗