Background: The best management of patients with isolated blunt thoracic trauma at high
risk of pulmonary complications (HRPC-BTT:≥ 3 isolated rib fractures, sternal fracture,
single or few pulmonary contusions or minimal pneumothorax) is still unclear. We compared
efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a new clinical pathway involving an Emergency
Department Observation Unit (EDOU) with routine care. Methods: Design: Retrospective
before-after study. Setting: Level II Trauma Center within a Regional Teaching Hospital …

, A MANAGEMENT OF BLUNT THORACIC TRAUMA IN AN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
OBSERVATION UNIT: PRE-POST OBSERVATIONAL STUDY. Menditto V, Gabrielli B,
Marcosignori M. J Trauma 2012; 72: 222–8. This study compared the efficacy and cost-
effectiveness of management of blunt thoracic trauma in an Emergency Department
observation unit (EDOU) vs. routine care. The study was a retrospective before-and-after
study of consecutive patients with isolated blunt thoracic trauma at a high risk of pulmonary …