Trauma Alert Notification Procedures Flashcards
When to call trauma alert 📢
Paramedic must relay this info to the receiving trauma center
Approximate age (patient must be 15 or older for ADULT trauma alert)*. Nature and mechanism of injury. Body area involved. GCS. Airway status. Hemodynamic status.
Paramedic will notify dispatch immediately of trauma alert and will include this information
Adult or pediatric. #of patients. Mechanism of injury. Destination. Airway status. Hemodynamic status.
Can a trauma alert be downgraded???
NO!!!
1 point airway
sustained RR 30 or greater
1 point circulation
sustained HR 120 or greater
1 point Best motor response
BMR = 5
1 point cutaneous
tissue loss major degloving injuries, major flap avulsion greater than 5 inches; GSW to extremities
1 point long bone fracture
single fracture site due to MVA or single fracture site due to a fall greater than 10’
1 point age
55 years old or greater
1 point mechanism of injury
ejection from vehicle excluding motorcycle, ATV, bicycle or open truck bed OR deformed steering wheel for driver
2 point Airway
Active assistance - not just O2
2 point circulation
Lack of radial pulse with sustained HR of 120 or greater or BP sys less than 90
2 point Best Motor Response
BMR = 4 or fewer; paralysis, suspected spinal cord injury, or loss of sensation.
2 point cutaneous
Amputation proximal to wrist or ankle; 2nd or 3rd degree burns greater than 15% TBSA; any high voltage electrical/lightning injury; Penetrating injury to head, neck or torso excluding superficial wounds.
Call a trauma alert if the patients GCS is less than or equal to what #???
12 or less; unless the patient is normally a 12 due to their medical history or pre-existing condition
Call a trauma alert for what kind of neck laceration?
associated with swelling, sustained bleeding, escape of air from wound/stridor, and transport to NEAREST Trauma Center.
- if neck laceration does not meet this criteria take to trauma center but DO NOT call trauma alert.
- Treat ABC with rapid transport
A trauma alert may be made with paramedic judgment when:
the senior care giver has a strong suspicion of injury in the patient; document “justified” reason on PCR left at the trauma center.
Elder gray-area criteria Trauma Alert (generalized definition)
if older patient does not meet trauma alert criteria but is 65 years or older and possibly “at risk” and might benefit from a trauma center.
Elder gray-area criteria Trauma Alert Mechanism of Injury
MVA with rapid deceleration (>35 MPH); pedestrian/bicycle/golf cart; motorcyclist; vehicle occupant with no restraints; significant passenger space invasion; extrication that exceeds 20 minutes; significant vehicular damage; Rollover; death of other occupant.
Elder gray-area events associated with high-energy dissipation:
fall or blast
Elder gray-area Injuries associated with an above mechanism such as fall or blast:
evidence of pelvic or chest trauma;
Elder gray-area traumatic injury and currently taking:
anticoagulants and blood thinners; cardiac medications such as beta blockers and antiarrhythmics or any diabetic medications.
Elder gray-area with medical history of:
Cardiac, CHF, COPD, Paralysis, Dementia, Surgical: any recent surgeries or a transplant recipient, diabetes
Cardiac arrest in trauma to stop resuscitation
no pulse/signs of life, no pupil reflexes, asystole/agonal rhythm <20 bpm on monitor and multiple leads, patient becomes pulseless from traumatic injury when can’t be transported within 15 min, perform needle decompression prior to declaring termination/tension pnuemothorax is sometimes reversible cause of cardiac arrest. CALL MEDICAL CONTROL.
