title: [Initial management of polytraumatized patients in the emergency department].
abstract: Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) provides a structured and efficient approach to the treatment of patients with multiple trauma in the emergency department. The performance of a well functioning interdisciplinary trauma team coordinated by an experienced trauma leader plays a pivotal role during the initial phase of patient care. The team's primary task is to establish and maintain stable vital signs by ensuring adequate oxygenation and fluid resuscitation while diagnostic or immediate life saving interventions and procedures are initiated. The following article describes the management of patients with multiple injuries in the emergency department based on the ATLS algorithm.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Anästhesiologie und Intensivtherapie am Universitätsklinikum Leipzig. frank.hokema@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hokema
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Donaubauer
authors.forename: Thilo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Busch
authors.forename: Bertil
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bouillon
authors.forename: Udo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kaisers
mesh_terms: D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'