Trauma team

A trauma team is a multidisciplinary group of healthcare workers under the direction of a team leader that works together to assess and treat the severely injured. This team typically meets before the patient reaches the trauma center. Upon arrival, the team does an initial assessment and necessary resuscitation, adhering to a defined protocol. Trauma teams can consist of the following: Team leader: The team leader is usually an experienced physician or trauma surgeon. The team leader makes all diagnostic and therapeutic decisions regarding the patient. They are responsible for determining the disease, condition, or complication the patient has, and how to treat it. They are in charge of the medical record, are in direct communication with the operating room and radiology, and direct other team members to complete specific tasks. The team leader stands at the foot of the patient and oversees all activities. Primary physician: The primary physician performs the primary and secondary surveys. A primary survey is a quick assessment and treatment for life-threatening injuries. The usual causes of death after a traumatic injury are airway obstruction, respiratory insufficiencies, shock, and central nervous system injuries. In a primary trauma survey, the physician looks at the airway and cervical spine, breathing, circulation, neurological deficit, and exposure and environment at time of injury. The secondary trauma survey detects other significant, but not life-threatening conditions. If a patient is determined to be stable, a head-to-toe assessment will be performed by the physician after completion of primary survey. If the patient is unstable, a secondary survey will not be performed and the patient should be transported directly to the operating room or to a trauma center. A secondary exam is broadly composed of taking the patient's history and performing a physical examination. A patient’s history can help to understand the extent of the injury.