Emergency & Trauma

(courtesy of the Tennessee National Guard)
October 3, 2024

Q&A: Jeffrey Upperman on the need to emphasize the impact of disasters on children to improve responses, care

Jeffrey Upperman, a national leader in pediatric trauma and disaster preparedness, is among the authors of the Pediatric Disaster Science Series from the National Academy of Medicine that published in late September as scenes of Hurricane Helene’s devastation emerged across the Southeast, underscoring the need to formalize response, research and care efforts.

By Holly Fletcher
Participants from the Tennessee National Guard pose for a photo on the Vanderbilt LifeFlight helipad.
September 18, 2024

Event provides crucial trauma training for Tennessee National Guard personnel

The event featured specific resource-limited training for austere environments that military personnel may deploy to, such as treating fever in the tropics and using ventilators in emergency evacuations and transport

By Matt Batcheldor
September 9, 2024

High-sensitivity test expected to expedite heart attack diagnosis and treatment

At Vanderbilt University Hospital, there are approximately 75,000 adult emergency department visits a year, and approximately 20% of all ED patients receive a cardiac troponin test as part of their initial evaluation. The new cardiac troponin test is more precise and provides results faster.

By Jill Clendening
September 5, 2024

From a bread truck to a fleet: ‘Angel’ transport celebrates 50 years of giving critically ill children a fighting chance

The first of its kind in the region, the Neonatal and Pediatric Transport team launched under the direction of Mildred T. Stahlman, MD, a neonatal medicine pioneer who created the first modern NICU in 1961. The goal: to give babies a fighting chance.

By Christina Echegaray
August 30, 2024

Emergency department tests wireless patient monitoring

The pilot extends to continuous wireless monitoring of blood pressure, blood oxygen level, heart rate and continuous cardiac rhythm. The aim is improved vigilance, efficiency and satisfaction for patients and staff.

By Paul Govern
August 22, 2024

Yelena Bodien joins VUMC to advance efforts in research, treatment of brain disorders

Bodien, who will co-direct the Neuroimaging Core of the Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction and Survivorship Center, has applied behavioral measures and advanced neuroimaging to improve the diagnosis and prognosis of severe brain injury.

By Jill Clendening
July 16, 2024

Vanderbilt LifeFlight celebrates 40th anniversary of service

LifeFlight started as a single helicopter air ambulance service four decades ago and has grown to a comprehensive emergency medical services provider that includes critical care air and ground transport, a ground ambulance program, event medicine coverage, emergency and dispatch communications.
By Kathy Rivers
July 10, 2024

The LifeFlight legacy: 40 years in 40 photos

Since July 1984, LifeFlight has made 76,942 flights and transported 80,118 patients. It’s transported another 37,133 patients since its ground transport program began; critical care ground transports number 4,188. This is the ever-expanding legacy: mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, wives, husbands, children and grandparents — alive. Explore an audio clip, map and more.
By Craig Boerner, Diana Duren, Holly Fletcher, Erin O. Smith, Wayne Wood
June 20, 2024

Renowned Emergency Medicine educator, clinician Keith Wrenn mourned

Dr. Wrenn's clinical skill inspired awe. He taught by example, and his patience, compassion and focus on patient-centered care leaves an indelible impression on trainees and colleagues.
By Paul Govern
June 13, 2024

Expert tips for staying safe in the heat

Following basic summer safety tips will help keep your family safe and healthy as temperatures rise.
By Jessica Pasley
June 5, 2024

A seriously ill patient was scared she wouldn’t survive the night — until she met nurse Inga-Liese Konynenbelt in the VUMC Emergency Department

“Inga made me feel that I was going to be OK. I am eternally grateful for her.”
By Nancy Humphrey
May 29, 2024

LifeFlight, Project ADAM lauded by Children’s Emergency Alliance

LifeFlight 8, based in Humboldt, Tennessee, was recognized with the Region 7 Award for its work in responding to a mass casualty in Carroll County in 2023. It is the second time this specific unit has been recognized for its work.
By Jessica Pasley
May 8, 2024

Top military medical leader supports additional expansion of partnerships with Medical Center 

VUMC is an official site of programs that deliver medical training opportunities to military medical personnel serving on Army Trauma Teams and that bring combat medics, licensed practical nurses and operating room technologists to VUMC for rotations to complete much of their annual medical skills competency requirements.
By Jill Clendening
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