Preparation of the trauma response in a UK emergency department

Abstract

An immediate, effective team response is needed in order to properly cater to the needs of trauma patients. This paper aims to review some of the strategies that can be implemented in Emergency Departments to reduce errors and improve decision-making in major trauma. It focuses on the phase prior to the patient’s arrival, and in the first few minutes afterwards – as there is evidence that an organised response at this point creates the ideal conditions for all subsequent activity, such as transfer of the patient for further imaging and the requirement for emergency surgery.