Sudden Death Trauma Scenarios
The Trauma Department at Liverpool Hospital has been developing the concept of
"Sudden Death Trauma Scenarios" to facilitate rapid decision making in critically
injured patients.
The basic principle is that in a moribund or dying patient, the
Trauma Team Leader must make on the spot decisions. The correct decision may save the
patient's life. An incorrect decision may result in the patient's death or add to
their morbidity.
We use them in a live setting in one of two ways:
- In some cases we put an individual in the spotlight: at each critical
point in the resucitation they are given the chance to make a specified
number of requests. As long as they come up with the right requests, they
remain Trauma Team Leader!
- Alternatively, you can use them in groups as a knockout competition.
Everybody stands up at the beginning. At each decision making point a list
of options are given. By show of hands, the individuals are asked to committ
to one of the options. The answer is then given and only those who chose the
right option remain standing to continue the resucitation.
PLEASE NOTE:
These scenarios are drawn from our experience but the stories are modified and
cases merged to protect the identity of the patients.
While access is not restricted to the medical and related professions, members
of the general public must be warned that these cases include photos of traumatic
injuries which could be distressing to lay people.
The Cases:
mbulance Message / Handover: M=mechanism, I=injury, S=signs & T=treatment
Medical Assessment: A=airway, B=breathing, C=circulation, D=neurological defecit
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