Ministry of Health

http://newzealand.govt.nz/

    
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 Published: 28/11/2011

Overall Care

The initial assessment of a trauma patient is a team process. Most patients with significant trauma require the input of a number of different speciality groups. Often this does not extend outside the trauma team but equally often the input of orthopaedic, neurosurgical, maxillofacial or plastic surgical teams are required.

The treatment of severe trauma is "time critical". Because specialist advice might be required at short notice notify specialists early about severely injured patients.

Not infrequently the situation occurs where assessment of more than one patient at once is necessary. This places considerable stresses on the system and can lead to situations where patients who have severe but not immediately obvious injures are overlooked. When this situation arises assistance should be summoned early.

Trauma assessment is a common process at Auckland Hospital. Use of these guidelines will help avoid some of the pitfalls.

Last updated on 28/11/2011