Title: Trauma Assessment; Initial Trauma Assessment. Information | Patient
Headings: Trauma Assessment
Trauma Assessment
This article is for Medical Professionals
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Aims of the initial evaluation of trauma patients
Preparation and co-ordination of care
The pre-hospital phase
The hospital phase
Triage and organisation of care
Initial assessment
Resuscitation and primary survey
Additional considerations to primary survey and resuscitation
Secondary survey
History
Additional considerations to secondary survey
Definitive care
Records and legal considerations
Practice tips
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Content: Injuries causing this mortality occur in predictable patterns and recognition of these patterns led to the development of advanced trauma life support (ATLS) by the American College of Surgeons. A standardised protocol for trauma patient evaluation has been developed. The protocol celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2005. Good teaching and application of this protocol are held to be important factors in improving the survival of trauma victims worldwide. Different systems of trauma scoring have been developed. Aims of the initial evaluation of trauma patients
Stabilise the patient. Identify life-threatening conditions in order of risk and initiate supportive treatment. Organise definitive treatments or organise transfer for definitive treatments. Preparation and co-ordination of care
Assessment and management will begin out of hospital at the scene of injury and good communication with the receiving hospital is important. The preparatory measures are outlined below to 'set the scene'.