KEY POINTS
- Improved outcomes are seen with increased specialization in trauma care.
- Assessment and treatment of a trauma patient follows the ABCDE algorithm:
Airway, Breathing, Circulation, neurologic Disability, and Exposure/Environment.
- Early fluid resuscitation (while the patient is actively hemorrhaging)
should use titrated doses of fluid to preserve perfusion while avoiding inappropriate
elevations in blood pressure.
- Resuscitation is not complete until restoration of normal perfusion has
been verified by blood gas or lactic acid measurement.
- Management of traumatic brain injury is based on measurement and preservation
of cerebral perfusion pressure.
- Lung-protective mechanical ventilation strategies begin as soon as possible
after injury.
- Trauma-specific nutrition and infectious disease management improve outcomes
in this population.
