Diana Kraus and Dr. Martin Keller posted the following in STL Health and Fitness: Thursday, November 17, 2011 According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, the most common cause of death in children ages 1-14 is injury. Given the vast numbers of injuries, more children die each year from this cause than cancer, infection, birth defects and heart disease combined. So, as a parent, where should you seek medical care if your child is injured? Data from the National Pediatric Trauma Registry show a three-fold increase in mortality of children with head injuries managed at adult centers rather than pediatric. Further, a study published in the Journal Trauma in 2007 indicates children who have suffered a traumatic injury who are treated by a pediatric trauma team have fewer operations to manage liver or spleen injuries, shorter lengths of stay, require transfusions, and the list goes on. Adult and pediatric trauma are reviewed by state or national governing organizations, but only pediatric centers must meet standards that are unique, comprehensive and most appropriate for children. After all, children are not just little adults. The regulations for a level 1 pediatric trauma center require that its specialists have received training in residencies and fellowships specific to children. This physician component in care is extremely important. Through a better understanding of the differences between a child and adult, in addition to improved survival, pediatric specialists will manage your child with fewer X-rays, transfusions and earlier return to function. Let’s say your 6-year-old falls off the jungle gym at home and hits his head. The baby-sitter reports that he was unconscious for 30 seconds and is now awake but sleepy and has bruising and abrasions to the side of his head. As a parent, you’re concerned and want him checked out immediately. If he is brought to a level 1 pediatric trauma center he will be first evaluated by physicians trained in pediatric emergency medicine and pediatric surgery/trauma. Level 1 pediatric trauma centers in the St. Louis area are St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. Mercy Children’s Hospital in St. Louis is a level 2 pediatric trauma center. A pediatric radiologist will use X-ray techniques, dosing and studies appropriate for children, understanding the normal variants which can be observed in the developing child. If he is admitted for a traumatic brain injury he will be cared for by pediatric neurosurgeons, pediatric intensivists and pediatric critical care nurses. As he improves, pediatric rehabilitation specialists, with pediatric trained physical and occupational therapists will be available. The Tutor system can be incorporated into the therapeutic program. From start to finish, his care will have been guided by physicians and staff with expertise and experience specific to the care of the injured child. This can mean the difference between walking out of the hospital in a week, or requiring months of rehabilitation. Numbers matter. As a parent with an injured child, the decision to seek care at a level 1 pediatric trauma center can make all the difference.
The new FDA and CE certified HandTutor, ArmTutor, LegTutor and 3DTutor have been developed to improve joint movement in brain and spinal cord injury victims. The Tutor devices are currently being used in leading U.S. and foreign hospitals as well as in physical therapy clinics and even in the patient’s home with tele rehabilitation. The Tutor devices also treat those suffering from MS, Parkinson’s, spinal cord injuries Apraxia among other disabilities. Intensive active exercise can reduce the rate of deterioration and this is what is provided with the Tutor devices.
The exercises are designed in the form of challenging games that are suitable for a wide variety of neurological and orthopedic injury and disease.The games challenge the patient to perform the exercise task to their best ability and to continue exercise practice and therefore provide a ”fun task” for children.
For those patients who are at home, both children and adults, the Tutor system is equipped with tele rehabilitation capability. See www.HandTutor.com for more information.
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