Rapid triage, assessment, resuscitation, stabilization and transfer of the critically injured patient
Rapid accurate assessment Resuscitate and stabilize by priority Determine needs and capabilities Arrange for transfer to definitive care Assure optimum care
Demonstrate concepts/principles of primary and secondary assessment Establish management priorities Initiate primary/secondary management Demonstrate the skills necessary to assess/manage the critically injured patient
Trauma is the leading cause of death in the first 4 decades of life in most developing countries 3.8 million deaths/year worldwide 312 million injured/year worldwide
“When I can provide better care in the field with limited resources than what my children and I received at the primary care facility…there is something wrong with the system and the system has to be changed.”
Immediate Early Late
ABCDE-approach to evaluation/treatment Treat greatest threat to life first Definitive diagnosis NOT immediately important Time is of the essence Do no further harm
Airway with c-spine protection Breathing/ventilation/oxygenation Circulation: stop the bleeding Disability Expose/environment/body temperature
Injury Primary survey Resuscitation Reevaluation Secondary survey Reevaluation Optimize patient Transfer
May include: ◦ Interactive lectures and skills sessions ◦ Demonstrations ◦ Group discussions ◦ Simulated patient scenarios ◦ Written exams
Documented improvements in care of injured patient after implementation of program Decreased injury mortality Lower per capita injury death Retention of organizational and procedural skills
ABCDE approach to trauma care One, safe way Do no further harm Treat the greatest threat to life first