Initial management of the trauma patient.
Critical care specialists should be familiar with the initial management of injured patients. Dividing the evaluation and treatment of the patient into the primary, secondary, and tertiary surveys ensures that the multiply injured patient will be managed expeditiously. The primary survey identifies the acute life-threatening problems that must be managed immediately. The secondary survey identifies the remaining major injuries and sets priorities for definitive management. The tertiary survey identifies occult injuries before they become missed injuries.
Center for Policy and Research in Emergency Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 Southwest Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, USA. richarch@ohsu.edu
Christopher F
CF
Richards
John C
JC
Mayberry
D000368:Aged; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology