Trauma, Multiple

Basics

Description

  • ATLS provides a standardized approach to trauma including rapid assessment and treatment
  • Life-threatening injuries must be immediately stabilized before moving along the primary survey
  • A primary survey should be repeated whenever the patients’ status deteriorates

Etiology

Variety of causes including:
  • Penetrating trauma
  • Motor vehicle and motorcycle accidents
  • Falls from height
  • Assault (including domestic violence)
  • Mass-casualty events (including terrorism)
  • Burns
  • High-risk patients: Extremes of age, pregnancy, bleeding disorders (including potent antiplatelet or anticoagulant use), GCS <14, abnormal vital signs, dangerous mechanism

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