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assessment within the specified timeframe of six hours. This the Army, the Department of the Navy, the Department of De-
limited the overall sample size and was the primary factor that fense, or the US Government.
excluded patients from analysis that otherwise met inclusion
criteria. While this limited the power of the study, it likely did Author Contributions
not significantly introduce any bias, as this was a pervasive VS conceived the study concept. All authors coordinated and
limitation for all patients initially included. collected the data, and JA analyzed the data. LJ and JN wrote
the first draft, and all authors read and approved the final
This study also did not include long-term follow-up, which manuscript.
would potentially further validate or refute our findings. Ad-
ditional research to include studies with increased sample size References
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The authors have indicated they have no financial relation- 20. Schuster KM, Sanghvi M, O’Connor R, et al. Spirometry not pain
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The view(s) expressed herein are those of the author(s) and line using percentage of predicted forced vital capacity improves
resource allocation for rib fracture patients. J Trauma Acute Care
do not reflect the official policy or position of Brooke Army Surg. 2021;90(5):769–775.
Medical Center, Uniformed Services University of the Health 22. Khan AD, Marlor DR, Billings JD, et al. Utilization of percentage
Sciences, the Department of the Air Force, the Department of of predicted forced vital capacity to stratify rib fracture patients:
112 | JSOM Volume 23, Edition 1 / Spring 2023

