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🚨 Rapid Trauma Assessment

The 2-Minute Protocol — Scene to Rescue in 10 Minutes

📋 Lab Scenario Standard: 10 minutes to complete — identify trauma alert, treat life threats, package and move patient
⏱ Phase 1 — On Scene
On-Scene Rapid Assessment
Goal: Identify Trauma Alert Within 2 Minutes
  • 1On arrival, immediately assess patient presentation, positioning, and scene
  • 2Identify and delegate treatment of immediate life threats — tourniquet, chest seal, c-spine
  • 3Determine GCS and manually check pulse
  • 4Apply c-collar while partner holds c-spine
  • 5Perform rapid head-to-toe assessment for life threats
  • 6Obtain basic EMT-level vitals: pulse, airway, breathing
  • 7Call trauma alert within 2 minutes of patient contact
  • 🚫Do NOT apply the Lifepack monitor on scene — package and move first
🚑 Phase 2 — In-Rescue
In-Rescue Advanced Care
Goal: Advanced Evaluation & Treatment Enroute

📦 Patient Packaging & Transfer

  • Transition patient onto long board or scoop stretcher
  • Move patient into rescue truck
  • Begin transport to appropriate Level 1 Trauma Facility

🔍 Secondary Assessment Enroute

  • Detailed head-to-toe evaluation
  • Apply Lifepack monitor for advanced vitals
  • Reassess all injuries more thoroughly
  • SAMPLE history if patient is responsive

💉 Advanced Medical Interventions

  • Establish IV/IO access (large bore × 2)
  • Administer medications as indicated
  • Advanced airway interventions if needed (RSI, BVM, King, ETT)
  • Apply formal splinting
  • Reassess interventions continuously

🚨 MOVE PATIENT TO RESCUE TRUCK

Scene Time Goal: 10 Minutes or Less  |  Load and Go — Treat Enroute

⚡ Immediate Life-Threat Interventions (Do These on Scene)
🩸 Tourniquet
Hemorrhage Control
🫁 Chest Seal
Open Chest Wounds
🦺 C-Collar
Placement
🔒 C-Spine
Stabilization
✋ Manual Pressure
Hemorrhage Control
🫀 CPR
Pulseless Patient
🚨 Trauma Alert Criteria

Call trauma alert if ANY of the following are present:

GCS ≤ 13 or altered mental status
SBP < 90 mmHg in adults
RR < 10 or > 29 breaths/min
Penetrating injury to head, neck, torso
Flail chest or open chest wound
Two or more long bone fractures
Pelvic fracture suspected
Amputation proximal to wrist/ankle
Spinal injury with deficits
Burns > 20% BSA or airway burns
High-energy mechanism (MVC > 40 mph, fall > 20 ft)
Uncontrolled external hemorrhage
🧠 Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
ComponentResponseScore
Eye OpeningSpontaneous4
To voice3
To pain2
None1
VerbalOriented5
Confused4
Words only3
Sounds only2
None1
MotorObeys commands6
Localizes pain5
Withdraws from pain4
Abnormal flexion (decorticate)3
Extension (decerebrate)2
None1
GCS 15 = Normal
GCS 9–14 = Moderate TBI
GCS ≤ 8 = Severe TBI — Manage Airway
GCS ≤ 13 = Trauma Alert
💀 Trauma Triad of Death

The lethal combination that kills trauma patients. Prevent all three — transport early, warm the patient, control bleeding.

🌡️ Hypothermia

Core temp < 35°C. Impairs clotting enzymes and cardiac function. Cover patient, warm fluids, minimize exposure time.

🧪 Acidosis

pH < 7.35 from hypoperfusion and anaerobic metabolism. Correct with hemorrhage control, airway management, and transport.

🩸 Coagulopathy

Inability to form clots. Worsened by hypothermia and acidosis. Control with TXA, pressure, tourniquet, and early surgery.

🚑 Load & Go vs. Stay & Play

🏃 Load & Go (Trauma)

  • Penetrating trauma
  • Hemorrhagic shock
  • Uncontrolled internal bleeding
  • GCS ≤ 13
  • Airway compromise
  • Scene time ≤ 10 minutes
  • Definitive care = OR, not the field

⏸ Stay & Play (Limited)

  • Cardiac arrest (medical)
  • Entrapment requiring extrication
  • Airway that cannot be managed moving
  • Isolated extremity injuries
  • Only when transport will take longer than treatment