ABSTRACT
Critically injured trauma patients comprise a wide range of unique management challenges for the entire medical team. First, these patients arrive at the hospital with minimal warning. Second, the patient’s initial presentation can be associated with injury-related physical disfigurement, amputation, pain, as well as physiological and emotional stress. Third, and most importantly, trauma patients frequently have immediate life-threatening needs that must be expeditiously met for a positive outcome to result. Finally, the most seriously injured patients are typically admitted directly to the operating room (OR) for evaluation, resuscitation, and life-saving surgery.
