Trauma
What is Trauma Care
Trauma care involves an emergency or urgent care provided to the patient after they have encountered severe accidents and injuries unexpectedly. It primarily consists of providing minor and major assistance to victims of road crashes or sports injuries.
While minor injuries are tended by general practitioners and healed with minimal care and effort, the cases of major injuries involve immediate care with the need for surgeries as well.
Who is Included in a Trauma Team
Since trauma can be of different prospects, involving bone damage, neural damage, or even other issues, the trauma team needs to be a multidisciplinary team of doctors and specialists with years of hands-on experience dealing with trauma patients.
The multispecialty team generally consists of:
- Anaesthesiologists
- Surgeons
- Radiologists
- Emergency physicians and more
Every trauma care has a trauma team leader who the hospital appoints to overlook the cases and be hands-on to receive immediate treatment without delay. This is because several trauma cases can even be life or death situations, and promptness is crucial in such situations.
Are Trauma Services Effective
Definitely yes. Trauma services have been proven beneficial in reducing medically preventable deaths by 50%, which is nothing short of huge. It enables the trained trauma specialists to save lives and reduce the risks of death; it also helps manage the symptoms in the patients after the mishap has taken place.
Common Examples of Orthopedic Emergencies in Trauma Care
One of the most common issues enrolled in trauma care stems from orthopedic emergencies. It can include conditions like fractures, sprains, or severe damages that require immediate surgery.
Fractures or sprains
Fractures are often one of the primary outcomes of an accident that ruptures or damages the continuity of the bone due to external impacts. Well-equipped trauma centers can help tend to the injuries and the pain immediately without letting it get worse.
The emergency care orthopedics generally initiate immediate testing for the patients, including X-Rays and CT-Scan to assert further treatment options.
Concussion
Another common yet severe condition that can lead to premature fatality is concussions. This is a condition marked by sudden unconsciousness in patients, followed by feelings of confusion and nausea. It can either be an aftermath of a road accident, a fall, or other internal factors.
Tendon Ruptures
Either as part of a sports injury or an accident, tendon ruptures can result in immediate pain and bruising. These kinds of trauma can lead to temporary immobility in the affected area till proper first-aid is provided to the patient.
Dislocations
Unlike fractures, patients can experience dislocation of their joints or bones after an accident or abrupt movement. It primarily happens when the bone dislodges itself from the joint’s sockets. A common occurrence in the shoulders, knees, and fingers requires immediate medical help so that the bone can be set back in place to prevent permanent damage.
Which Services are Offered in Trauma Care
Emergency or trauma care is put together to help patients get immediate medical attention to reverse fatality risks. Most of the trauma centers are equipped with the following to facilitate correct treatment to the patient.
Every trauma unit has:
- Treatment room with operative table for immediate medical needs
- Plaster and isolation room
- Pathology unit with cardiac monitors, ventilator, portable X-ray, ECHO machines, etc.
- Faster response time to patients struggling with accidents, paralytic stroke, or heart attack