Episode 133.0 – Initial Trauma Assessment

Show Notes

Take Home Points

1. Development of a systematic approach is essential to rapidly assessing the wide diversity of trauma patients and minimizes missed injures
2. Prepare with whatever information is available before the patient arrives and remember to get a good handoff from the pre-hospital team
3. Complete the primary survey (ABCDEs) and address immediate life threats
4. Round out your assessment with a good medical history and remember to complete a comprehensive head-to-toe exam

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Shlamovitz GZ, et al. Poor test characteristics for the digital rectal examination in trauma patients. Ann Emerg Med. 2007;50(1):25-33, 33.e1. PMID: 17391807

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