OCR Text |
Show 2 B The Salt Lake Tribune, Friday, July 20, 1979 Parental Delay Significant Factor in Cases of Childrens Ruptured Appendix By Angelyn Nelson burst. Tribune Medical Editor Parental delays in seeking medical attention for their children is a significant factor in cases of a ruptured appendix, according to a Primary Childrens Medical Center study re- leased Thursday. Dr. David K. Miller, a general surgeon, and Dr. George H. Durham, a audit of pediatrician, said a one-yeappendicitis cases treated at the hospital showed children who suffered ruptured appendixes had parents who delayed 24 to 48 hours in calling the doctor. A few parents waited five to seven days, said the doetors at a hospital press conference. They said it takes 15 minutes to hours for an appendix to ar The study was done to determine why there is such a high incidence of ruptured appendixes. The Primary Childrens Medical Center study looked at Oct. 1, 1977 to Oct. 1, 1978, when the facility had 87 cases of appendicitis, an acute inflammation of the appendix caused by bactenal infection. , Appendicitis results from a stool, pin worms or other obstructions blocking the opening of the appendix to the intestine. The appendix, a wormiike projection from the large intestine, lies in the lower right part of the abdomen It is functionless. Of the 87 cases at the hospital, 26, or 30 percent, had ruptured appendixes, which spread infection into the abdominal cavity bringing complications and longer, more costly hospitalizations, Dr. Miller reported For older patients, that percentage of ruptured appendixes stiould be about 15 percent. Children, who may not be able to describe their symptoms, usually have a percentage greater than 15 percent, he said Medical Delay Of the 26 ruptured appendixes, four were due to medical delays such as misdiagnoses as food reactions or food poisoning Dr. Miller said some misdiagnosis is expected as is surgical removal of an occasional healthy appendix because of a diagnosis uncertainty Three of the 87 appendectomies were unnecessary. or 85 Parental delavs existed in 22 of the ruptured appendix percent cases, Dr Miller said Assessment in children younger than four years may be difficult, but severe abdominal pain should be evaluated by a physician, Dr. Durham said, adding and rectal laboratory tests. examination aid a physician's diagnosis of appendicitis Symptoms which warrant a call to the doctor include severe pain in the lower right abdomen and an abdomen which is Dr. tight as a drum, Durham reported Navel Pain Pain at the navel is probably stomach flu, but appendicitis pain can start at the navel and migrate down the right side, he added Another sign might be the childs inability to walk or hop up and down on one leg Dr Durham said hopping with impending appendicitis would be excruciatingly painful for the child He said urinary tract infections or l cramps in adolescent girls mav mimmick appendicitis, but the phy sician, not the parent, is the appropriate person to determine the pains origin Dr Miller emphasized a ruptured appendix is serious Two of the 26 children died following the rupture of their appendixes and before they made it to surgery. Lead to Abscesses A burst appendix can lead to abscesses in the abdomen which necessitate several operations and to bowel ob men-.trua- structions w hlch could cause problems anytime in life. Dr. Miller said. Bacteria via the bloodstream may seed other organs, particularly the liver, he added More suffering, longer hospitaliza-tio- n and more medicines accompany a ruptured appendix, he continued. While children with a routine appendectomies spend three days in the hospital and return to play within a week, the children with ruptured appendixes in the study stayed up to 20 days in the hospital, the physician reported The complications from appendicitis increased the hospital bul from less than $1,200 to as much as $4,8UK, Dr. Miller said Constitution Revision Panel Studies Changes In Property T ax Cuts By Douglas L. Parker Tribune Political Editor House Speaker James V Hansen Thursday cautioned that the 1980 legislative budget session isnt likely to change a proposed constitutional amendment to permit cutting in half property taxes on homes. His remarks were aimed at the Utah Constitutional Revision Commission, meeting to discuss changes that might be recommended for the constitutional article dealing with property tax assessment and exemptions. The 1979 legislature proposed for 1980 voter approval an amendment to permit tlie legislature to exempt tangible personal property, such as cars, from the property tax, and to exempt up to one-ha- lf the fair market value or rebate the taxes on owner up to one-haoccupied homes. Sacrosanct Language The language of that section may be virtually sacrosanct, said Rep. Hansen, I dont believe legislators would be prone in a y budget he session to make any changes, lf 20-da- adiod. The commission has been looking at possible revisions to the tax articles, in which the residential exemption occurs, to present a comprehensive proposal to voters. Sen. Karl N. Snow Jr , commission chairman, agreed with Speaker Hansen that the residential exemption provision seems almost But Sen. Snow said he sacred. believes the legislature is big enough and prepared enough to make other modifications to the overall tax article. Rep. Hansen wasnt encouraging. However, he added, if legislators got sufficient background before meeting, there might be agreement for minor modifications that wouldnt detract from the success of the resolution to lower residential property taxes. Discussed Other Changes The commission agreed to make no recommendations for alterations in that resolution, but discussed other changes that might be tacked on. Police File Charge Of Sexual Abuse A forcible sexual abuse charge was filed Thursday against a man who allegedly molested a four-- y ear-ol- d girl. Kenneth Don Leighton, 3839 S. 4520 South, was charged in a coinplaint signed by West Jordan City Police Detective Vernon Peterson before 5th Circuit Judge Floyd H Gowans. The complaint, issued by Deputy Salt Lake County Attorney Dennis Fuchs, alleges Leighton, a painter, partially removed the victims bathing suit and fondled her. Leighton, who was arrested Wednesday, was being held Thursday m Salt Lake Jail in lieu of $l,00u bail. d City-Coun- ty For instance, the commission asked for more testimony on whether municipally owned utilities should contuiue to be exempt from property taxes, and reviewed draft language on rewriting exemptions of nonprofit religious and charitable properties. The present exemption of the latter is rn iviiirHmtc: icwh exclusively for either worship or charitable purposes. Witnesses complained this language can lead to narrow court interpretations over exclusive use for worship, which ran alter the basic intent for the tax exemption. A Middle Ground The proposed constitutional reduction of residential property taxes is a middle ground between those who advocate complete removal of home property taxes and those who see the special residential property classification as shifting the tax burden to commercial properties. Previous testimony before the commission contended that since homes are income producing property, they shouldn't be taxed at all. Rep. P. Lloyd Selleneit, an advocate of that position, described proposals increasing sales tax and distributing the revenue back to local governments to make up the loss of property taxes. Another view was presented by Walter D. Talbot, date superintendent of public instruction: special purchase! Levi 's ' great cool terry playwear And you choose from 5 great shirt end 2 terrific short styles! Shirts are all in pastel shades and neutrals with SHORTS 8. 99,oJ 0.99 contrasting pastel trims, including collar and placket, and pocket styles. Shorts are in k, 4 color combinations. All polyester cotton, and match'em all up'! Levi's , 154 Mix Well Within Limits believe our property taxes are well w ithin controlled limits. I also know it is important for people to contribute to their education programs directly so they maintain a strong interest in the programs for which their money is being spent. The residential property tax provides that incentive and opportunity. If authority to tax residential property is eliminated some other form of local taxing authority will have to be increased in order to meet local commitments. Another alternative is to provide greater state funding. However, it is my belief that to do that would be the first step toward elimination of school districts in the state and have education administered from a central source, which, to me, would be a serious blow to public education. I Offers 2 Courses The commissions research staff pointed out the language of the proposed residential property tax exemption leaves two distinct financial courses open to the legislature if approved by voters. If the homes market value were exempted by half, the revenue loss would be to local governments and school districts, since state government has no property taxation. In this case some type of revenue sharing mechanism would have to be implemented to offset local loss. Sen. Snow suggested. In the second case, a rebate of half the taxes could be directly financed by tin state, just as this years 27 percent rebutc off tax bills is being financed. S.L. Police Furious Over Raise Continued From Page B- -l be trusted by the labor unions." lie safety boss and architect of the He said the issue here is not the December contract, said later that the it the police are getting just shown cannot had Commission money City about the same amount of money either way. The reason theyre angry is Sheriff's deputies reported that because the commission backed out on rethieves removed an outboard motor the December contract and then from a boat parked near James Jones' versed a July 3 vote in favor of the 9 1 residence on the 4100 block of Andra percent pa raise. Street and also removed two fishing poles with reels. Total value of the The issue is trust, and the commismissing goods was placed at $1,8-10- . sion has shown it cannot be trusted. Boat Motor Stolrn Reg. 39.98 Ughweight comfort for trail hiking and wear. Soft leather uppers with padded ankle and top, cushion insole, padded full bellow tongue. Sizes 7 to 1 2. nd Sf32aC22 SMB I ui FASHION PLACE DIAL 262-573- 1 '4 " |