Trauma Resuscitation Unit Observation Objectives

In the Trauma Resuscitation Unit (TRU), the prehospital clinicians will have the opportunity to observe the assessment and treatment of critically injured patients and examine the admission process. As the patient enters the hospital either by land or air, the observer can experience the transition from prehospital clinicians to the TRU clinical staff.

The focus of this observational experience is the management of patients with multisystem trauma, head, and spinal cord injuries. The prehospital care clinician can schedule an observation in the TRU for Thursday, Friday or Saturday from 1500 hours to 2300 hours or 2300 hours to 0700 hours. The provider will be required to sign up at least one month in advance.

Note: This program is not approved for MIEMSS continuing education credits.

By the end of this educational experience, the prehospital clinician will be able to:

• Discuss the ongoing assessment and acute management of the critically injured trauma patient.

• Discuss the relationship of the patient's age, preexisting conditions, past medical history, mechanism of injury and the identified injuries as they relate to the ongoing assessment and management of the critically injured patient.

• Describe the relationship between the mechanism of injury and the trauma center's approach to the patient.

• Describe the signs and symptoms indicative of the need for immediate verses delayed therapeutic interventions.

• Discuss the role of aggressive airway management and the importance of proper oxygenation in the initial management of the trauma patient.

• Describe changes in signs and symptoms that may indicate a change in patient status as they are related to severe traumatic head and spinal cord injuries, severe musculoskeletal injuries, and severe internal injuries.

• Discuss the importance of past medical history and current medications as it relates to patient assessment and management. Discuss specifically how this pertains to the elderly trauma patient.

• Discuss the interaction between the Trauma Attending Physician on the trauma line and the field clinician. What is the importance of the information he/she obtains? What is done with that information?

EMS Clinicians: For all patient feedback, please email STCEMS@umm.edu.