title: The general surgeon in the management of patients with multisystem trauma in a community hospital.
abstract: The general surgeon in a community hospital must assume the role of leader of the trauma team in managing patients with multisystem trauma. Initial resuscitative measures must be instituted to assure cardiopulmonary stability. Following this a complete assessment of the various body systems must be undertaken. The general surgeon will then be in a position to decide whether definitive treatment in the community hospital is possible or whether transfer is required. The basis resources of such a hospital in terms of medical expertise, support staff, laboratory and radiology facilities are all important considerations in making this decision. Most individuals with multisystem trauma can be managed in the community hospital.
mesh_terms: D003657:Decision Making; D006748:Hospital Departments; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D008350:Manitoba; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012151:Resuscitation; D013503:Surgery Department, Hospital; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000601:surgery*