Trauma Research

Research is a core component of Trauma activities here at Temple University Health System. Our entire research staff has been trained in Good Clinical Practices (GCPs) and are certified in the Protection of Human Subjects. They work closely together in an interdisciplinary manner to ensure that care is well coordinated and of the highest quality.

All clinical trials are reviewed by an internal research committee to secure approval by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) prior to implementation in order to ensure compliance with all pertinent federal and state laws and regulations.

Our research staff is involved in a wide variety of clinical research projects, as well as self-initiated protocols, abstracts and have published many studies in peer-reviewed journals. Our areas of research cover all aspects of trauma patient care, from pre-hospital setting to discharge, as well as educating patients on the importance of compliance, follow-up visits and all aspects of patient-centered care.

Ongoing Trauma & Surgical Critical Care Research Projects

Insurance Status

Retrospective study looking at penetrating trauma patients admitted to our inner city Level I trauma center and whether lack of insurance was or was not associated with a difference in utilization of radiological, surgical, and interventional resources. (Accepted to AAS)

Pre-hospital Intervention, Baltimore/ Philadelphia

This is a partnership with Trauma centers in the Philadelphia area. The application to the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma has been submitted and data collection is in progress.

Pre-hospital Intervention Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation (PTSF) Database

The main focus of this study is to determine what types of centers would support not intubating over faster time to the hospital.

Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP) Guidelines in Trauma Patients

This study was presented to the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma in January 2012.

Stress Training Surgical Residents

Hypothesis: Residents who received training felt less stress and performed at a higher level than the residents who did not receive the training. This study was submitted to Association of Surgical Education (ASE) $25,000 grant.

Violence Intervention Program

A prospective randomized controlled study of the utility of a hospital-based violence intervention program in changing penetrating trauma victims' attitudes towards violence. To determine if a hospital-based VIP is able to change penetrating trauma victims' attitudes towards violence.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Penetrating trauma. Submitted to the IRB.

Gift of Life

An education program developed, along with Gift of Life (this region's Organ Procurement Organization) to better equip residents on how to approach possible organ donating families in a time of despair.

CT versus Echo

A prospective study looking at asymptomatic stab wound (SW) patients.

Large Animal Model Trauma Resuscitation

This study is an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocol. It is an accepted abstract to the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma.

Small Animal Model

January 2012.

Bio Trauma Research Coordinator

Andrea Van Zandt is the Trauma Research Coordinator at Temple University Health System. She has over nine years' experience working in a University Healthcare setting with seven years' experience in the Clinical Research field. Her previous work at Cooper University Hospital gave her the foundation in Clinical Research trials where she specialized in Electrophysiology, Cardiovascular Disease and Critical Care Medicine, with an expertise in device trials sponsored by Medtronic and St. Jude Medical. Andrea holds a Bachelor of Arts in both Education and Sociology from Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ and is enrolled in a graduate program here at Temple University.