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Changing the Language

Broyles, Pam V. trauma-list@trauma.org
Mon, 6 May 2002 15:11:39 -0500


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I think that Dr. Ursic has hit on the likely reason that the change has been
encouraged.  Within trauma there is movement to try to get people to
consider the causes of trauma and how they could have been prevented.  In
this way we may ultimately be able to address this and get programs in place
to help address injury prevention.  This however will not be likely if
people continue with the mindset that accidents happen.  
Pam Broyles RN
  

-----Original Message-----
From: Terry Dinerman [mailto:dinerman@computron.net]
Sent: Thursday, May 02, 2002 6:19 PM
To: trauma-list@trauma.org
Subject: Re: Changing the Language


Dr. Ursic-
 
As a pre-hospital provider, it is my convention to fully describe the MVA
(motor vehicle accident) and it's exact mechanism of injury as fully as
possible, including such things as speed of impact of the patients vehicle
as well as the impacted vehicle or object, ("How fast was the tree going
when it hit you Sir?"), patients position in the vehicle, extent of damage
to the patients vehicle, restraints, (if used or air-bags if deployed),
extrication maneuvers required and time it took to extricate, photos of the
wreckage if possible, as well as the standard patient care summary.  In
addition, a small sketch of the scene is provided to illustrate speed /
direction etc, when time permits.
 
Our local receiving MD's and aircrews appreciate the extra effort since it
will predict potential injury patterns and give them a edge in anticipating
those issues.  They don't have to apply treatments "just in case" if they
have an accurate picture of the MOI.  With the above said, I have never had
anyone either MD or JD or insurance provider downgrade or modify my
interpretation of the word "accident" in over 20 years.
 
I now teach as well provide patient service.  My students are trained to
recognize that when words have multiple meanings, we must convey the
broadest picture to ensure we have communicated the true nature of the
injury or illness in our therapeutic communications.  
 
Plain clear English, without jargon or codes, that paints a clear picture of
the case, will pass in my class, even if written on 3" cloth tape or the
back of a glove. 
 
Regards-
 
T.A. Dinerman EMTP

----- Original Message ----- 
From: caesar ursic <mailto:cmursic@yahoo.com>  
To: trauma-list@trauma.org <mailto:trauma-list@trauma.org>  
Sent: Wednesday, May 01, 2002 9:38 AM
Subject: Changing the Language

I disagree.  Webster's College Dictionary defines the
word "accident" in many ways, one of which is "an
unfortunate event resulting from carelesness or
ignorance."  If that doesn't describe most auto
mishaps resulting in the injuries we treat, then
nothing does.

I wonder: has anyobody on this list ever heard of any
litigation that was thwarted, compromised, altered or
in any fashion twisted around simply because a
healthcare provider called the event an "accident"
instead of a "crash?"  Are we really that worried
about secondary and tertiary levels of connotation
that we need to change the popular vernacular?  Or is
all this somehow tied into injury "prevention?"  To
me, it's like calling a patient a "client."  At best,
it strikes me as unecessary and extreme political
correctness.  But that's just me.
-C.M. Ursic, M.D.
Dept. of Surgery
UCSF-East Bay 
Oakland, California

--- "John L. Meade" < jmeade@statdoc.com <mailto:jmeade@statdoc.com> >
wrote:
> Actually, in spite of the "political correctness" or
> "lawyer protection"
> that such a change in nomenclature implies, it might
> actually be better.
> 
> 
> This similar to the fact that many of us have
> changed our terminology
> from "Motor Vehicle Accident" (MVA) to "Motor
> Vehicle Crash" (MVC).
> "Accident" implies no fault. We are not usually in
> position to make such
> value judgments as to who is responsible, or in what
> proportion to
> assess blame. Therefore, MVC is a nonjudgmental
> statement of fact.
> 
> JM 
>   
> John L. Meade, MD, FACEP 
> Emergency Medicine Specialist
> Emerald Healthcare Group, P.A. 
> http://www.statdoc.com/ <http://www.statdoc.com/>   
>  
> It is well to remember that the entire universe,
> with one trifling
> exception, is composed of others.
> 
> 
>  
>  
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: trauma-list-admin@trauma.org <mailto:trauma-list-admin@trauma.org> 
> [mailto:trauma-list-admin@trauma.org]
> On Behalf Of P. Hoffman
> Sent: Wednesday, May 01, 2002 09:33
> To: trauma-list@trauma.org <mailto:trauma-list@trauma.org> 
> Subject: Spinal Immobilization... ?
> 
> 
> 
> Here in Northern Michigan we are being asked to
> change our vocabulary
> from
> "Spinal Immobilization" to "Spinal Motion
> Restriction."
> 
> The rationale supposedly involves the medico-legal
> end of the business.
> We
> have been assured that true "Immobilization" can
> only be achieved
> chemically, while we pre-hospital types are actually
> only able to
> provide
> restriction of spinal motion through our use of
> long-boards, KED, etc.
> 
> Anyone out there clever enough to address this for
> me?
> 
> Phil Hoffman
> EMTP
> 
> 
> --
> trauma-list : TRAUMA.ORG
> To change your settings or unsubscribe visit:
> http://www.trauma.org/traumalist.html
<http://www.trauma.org/traumalist.html> 
> 
> 
> 
> --
> trauma-list : TRAUMA.ORG
> To change your settings or unsubscribe visit:
> http://www.trauma.org/traumalist.html
<http://www.trauma.org/traumalist.html> 


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<DIV><SPAN class=968580620-06052002><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>I 
think that Dr. Ursic has hit on the likely reason that the change has been 
encouraged.&nbsp; Within trauma there is movement to try to get people to 
consider the causes of trauma and how they could have been prevented.&nbsp; In 
this way we may ultimately be able to address this and&nbsp;get programs in 
place to help address injury prevention.&nbsp; This however will not be likely 
if people continue with the mindset that accidents 
happen.&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=968580620-06052002><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Pam 
Broyles RN</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=968580620-06052002><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>&nbsp; 
</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
  <DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Tahoma 
  size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> Terry Dinerman 
  [mailto:dinerman@computron.net]<BR><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, May 02, 2002 6:19 
  PM<BR><B>To:</B> trauma-list@trauma.org<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: Changing the 
  Language<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS">Dr. Ursic-</FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS">As a pre-hospital provider, it is my 
  convention to fully describe the MVA (motor vehicle accident) and it's exact 
  mechanism of injury as fully as possible, including such things as speed of 
  impact of the patients vehicle as well as the impacted vehicle or object, 
  ("How fast was the tree going when it hit you Sir?"), patients position in the 
  vehicle, extent of damage to the patients vehicle, restraints, (if used or 
  air-bags if deployed), extrication maneuvers required and time it took to 
  extricate, photos of the wreckage if possible, as well as the standard patient 
  care summary.&nbsp; In addition, a small sketch of the scene is provided to 
  illustrate speed / direction etc, when time permits.</FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS">Our local receiving MD's and aircrews 
  appreciate the extra effort since it will predict potential injury patterns 
  and give them a edge in anticipating those issues.&nbsp; They don't have to 
  apply treatments "just in case" if they have an accurate picture of the 
  MOI.&nbsp; With the above said, I have never had anyone either MD or JD or 
  insurance provider downgrade or modify my interpretation of the word 
  "accident" in over 20 years.</FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS">I now teach as well provide 
  patient&nbsp;service.&nbsp; My students are trained to recognize that when 
  words have&nbsp;multiple meanings, we must convey the broadest picture to 
  ensure we have communicated the true nature of the injury or illness in our 
  therapeutic communications.&nbsp; </FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS">Plain clear English, without jargon or codes, 
  that paints a clear picture of the case, will pass in my class, even if 
  written on 3" cloth tape or the back of a glove. </FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS">Regards-</FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS">T.A. Dinerman EMTP</FONT></DIV>
  <BLOCKQUOTE 
  style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
    <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
    <DIV 
    style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> 
    <A title=cmursic@yahoo.com href="mailto:cmursic@yahoo.com">caesar ursic</A> 
    </DIV>
    <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=trauma-list@trauma.org 
    href="mailto:trauma-list@trauma.org">trauma-list@trauma.org</A> </DIV>
    <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, May 01, 2002 9:38 
    AM</DIV>
    <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Changing the Language</DIV>
    <DIV><BR></DIV>I disagree.&nbsp; Webster's College Dictionary defines 
    the<BR>word "accident" in many ways, one of which is "an<BR>unfortunate 
    event resulting from carelesness or<BR>ignorance."&nbsp; If that doesn't 
    describe most auto<BR>mishaps resulting in the injuries we treat, 
    then<BR>nothing does.<BR><BR>I wonder: has anyobody on this list ever heard 
    of any<BR>litigation that was thwarted, compromised, altered or<BR>in any 
    fashion twisted around simply because a<BR>healthcare provider called the 
    event an "accident"<BR>instead of a "crash?"&nbsp; Are we really that 
    worried<BR>about secondary and tertiary levels of connotation<BR>that we 
    need to change the popular vernacular?&nbsp; Or is<BR>all this somehow tied 
    into injury "prevention?"&nbsp; To<BR>me, it's like calling a patient a 
    "client."&nbsp; At best,<BR>it strikes me as unecessary and extreme 
    political<BR>correctness.&nbsp; But that's just me.<BR>-C.M. Ursic, 
    M.D.<BR>Dept. of Surgery<BR>UCSF-East Bay <BR>Oakland, California<BR><BR>--- 
    "John L. Meade" &lt;<A 
    href="mailto:jmeade@statdoc.com">jmeade@statdoc.com</A>&gt; wrote:<BR>&gt; 
    Actually, in spite of the "political correctness" or<BR>&gt; "lawyer 
    protection"<BR>&gt; that such a change in nomenclature implies, it 
    might<BR>&gt; actually be better.<BR>&gt; <BR>&gt; <BR>&gt; This similar to 
    the fact that many of us have<BR>&gt; changed our terminology<BR>&gt; from 
    "Motor Vehicle Accident" (MVA) to "Motor<BR>&gt; Vehicle Crash" 
    (MVC).<BR>&gt; "Accident" implies no fault. We are not usually in<BR>&gt; 
    position to make such<BR>&gt; value judgments as to who is responsible, or 
    in what<BR>&gt; proportion to<BR>&gt; assess blame. Therefore, MVC is a 
    nonjudgmental<BR>&gt; statement of fact.<BR>&gt; <BR>&gt; JM 
    <BR>&gt;&nbsp;&nbsp; <BR>&gt; John L. Meade, MD, FACEP <BR>&gt; Emergency 
    Medicine Specialist<BR>&gt; Emerald Healthcare Group, P.A. <BR>&gt; <A 
    href=http://www.trauma.org/index.php/community/list/url/http:list.ftech.net/pipermail/trauma-list/2002/"http://www.statdoc.com/">http://www.statdoc.com/</A>&nbsp; 
    <BR>&gt;&nbsp; <BR>&gt; It is well to remember that the entire 
    universe,<BR>&gt; with one trifling<BR>&gt; exception, is composed of 
    others.<BR>&gt; <BR>&gt; <BR>&gt;&nbsp; <BR>&gt;&nbsp; <BR>&gt; <BR>&gt; 
    -----Original Message-----<BR>&gt; From: <A 
    href="mailto:trauma-list-admin@trauma.org">trauma-list-admin@trauma.org</A><BR>&gt; 
    [mailto:trauma-list-admin@trauma.org]<BR>&gt; On Behalf Of P. 
    Hoffman<BR>&gt; Sent: Wednesday, May 01, 2002 09:33<BR>&gt; To: <A 
    href="mailto:trauma-list@trauma.org">trauma-list@trauma.org</A><BR>&gt; 
    Subject: Spinal Immobilization... ?<BR>&gt; <BR>&gt; <BR>&gt; <BR>&gt; Here 
    in Northern Michigan we are being asked to<BR>&gt; change our 
    vocabulary<BR>&gt; from<BR>&gt; "Spinal Immobilization" to "Spinal 
    Motion<BR>&gt; Restriction."<BR>&gt; <BR>&gt; The rationale supposedly 
    involves the medico-legal<BR>&gt; end of the business.<BR>&gt; We<BR>&gt; 
    have been assured that true "Immobilization" can<BR>&gt; only be 
    achieved<BR>&gt; chemically, while we pre-hospital types are 
    actually<BR>&gt; only able to<BR>&gt; provide<BR>&gt; restriction of spinal 
    motion through our use of<BR>&gt; long-boards, KED, etc.<BR>&gt; <BR>&gt; 
    Anyone out there clever enough to address this for<BR>&gt; me?<BR>&gt; 
    <BR>&gt; Phil Hoffman<BR>&gt; EMTP<BR>&gt; <BR>&gt; <BR>&gt; --<BR>&gt; 
    trauma-list : TRAUMA.ORG<BR>&gt; To change your settings or unsubscribe 
    visit:<BR>&gt; <A 
    href=http://www.trauma.org/index.php/community/list/url/http:list.ftech.net/pipermail/trauma-list/2002/"http://www.trauma.org/traumalist.html">http://www.trauma.org/traumalist.html</A><BR>&gt; 
    <BR>&gt; <BR>&gt; <BR>&gt; --<BR>&gt; trauma-list : TRAUMA.ORG<BR>&gt; To 
    change your settings or unsubscribe visit:<BR>&gt; <A 
    href=http://www.trauma.org/index.php/community/list/url/http:list.ftech.net/pipermail/trauma-list/2002/"http://www.trauma.org/traumalist.html">http://www.trauma.org/traumalist.html</A><BR><BR><BR>__________________________________________________<BR>Do 
    You Yahoo!?<BR>Yahoo! Health - your guide to health and wellness<BR><A 
    href=http://www.trauma.org/index.php/community/list/url/http:list.ftech.net/pipermail/trauma-list/2002/"http://health.yahoo.com">http://health.yahoo.com</A><BR><BR>--<BR>trauma-list 
    : TRAUMA.ORG<BR>To change your settings or unsubscribe visit:<BR><A 
    href=http://www.trauma.org/index.php/community/list/url/http:list.ftech.net/pipermail/trauma-list/2002/"http://www.trauma.org/traumalist.html">http://www.trauma.org/traumalist.html</A><BR><BR></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>

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