Trauma Overview and Statistics

Trimodal Distribution of Death

Immediate Fatal Injury - 50%

Early Deaths - ABCD 30% (40% airway 25% blood loss)

Late Deaths - 20% Infection, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Major Cause of Death in Trauma is BLOOD LOSS

Compensation for Blood Loss

Most trauma victims are young and healthy

They compensate very well for blood loss:

Vasoconstriction

Increased heart rate

Increased resp rate

Vital signs can be misleading

In young adults these changes are often subtle and may only be seen late

Think if a persons heart rate is 100 it is only top of scale but might be DOUBLE their normal resting rate

A breathing rate of 24 is only slightly high but might be double their normal

Minimise on scene time for major trauma

<20 Minute for blunt trauma

All seriously injured must get 100% oxygen as soon as airway clear

Any PT with head injury or LoC has spinal injury unless proved otherwise

CATMIST PD09

Call sign

Age

Time of injury

Mechanism of injury

Injuries found and suspected

Signs (vital)

Treatment given or required

Summary

Rapid assessment

Immediate Interventions - ABC

Attention to detail

Continual reassessment

Teamwork