Trauma Care for the Non-Surgical Intensivist

Dr. Mayur Narayan is a trauma intensivist who has a special interest in the development of trauma systems, especially in underdeveloped countries.  In this talk Dr. Narayan discusses the challenges to developing an efficient trauma system, the basics to trauma care, and some of the recent advancements in taking care of the critically injured patient.

Pearls

  1. Does it matter if non-trauma surgeons manage Trauma ICU patients?  NO!  There have been no proven difference in survival to discharge or better outcomes.
  2. ATLS still teaches ABCs as an initial approach to the trauma patient, but for the patient in hemorrhagic shock – START with circulation!
  3. When to transfer a sick trauma patient?  ASAP.  A common pitfall is waiting until after diagnostic tests (specifically CT scans)  to transfer a sick patient.
  4. You can only prevent secondary neurologic injury by avoiding hypotension and hypoxia.  In the patient with hemorrhagic shock, address the cause of hypotension FIRST.  Remember the 5 compartments:

    5 Compartments

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