Severity of initial injuries and outcomes in trauma are determined by two principal and non-modifiable factors:
2. patient-related physciological factors (age, comorbidities)
Types of trauma
Collisions that occur with blunt trauma
machine, body, organ
rapid deceleration can cause
Shearing force → stretching and tearing of structures at points of attachment
describe what happens with rapid deceleration of the body
Rapid deceleration of the body → continued downward or forward motion of internal structures → shear and tearing along the attachment of the organs and blood supply
compression trauma can cause
2. Compression of a closed space → rupture
__ is the greatest determinate of amount of force
speed
Hallmarks of high-energy mechanism
Direction of impact (type of collision)
describe the factors in injury pattern with front impact collisions (head on)
describe the factors in injury pattern with lateral impact collisions (t bone)
2. Amount of intrusion
describe the factors in injury pattern with rotational or corner impact collisions
describe the factors in injury pattern with rollover collisions
2. Non-secure objects become projectiles
describe the factors in injury pattern with rear impact collisions
What are potential associated injuries with head on collision
What are potential associated injuries with windshield damange
What are potential associated injuries with steering wheel damage
Thoracic injuries
What are potential associated injuries with dashboard involvement/damage
2. Dislocated hip (posterior dislocation)
Potential associated injuries with rear-end collision
Potential associated injuries with lateral (T bone) collisions
Potential associated injuries with rollovers
2. compression fx of spine
Potential associated injuries with lab belt only
Chance fractures, abdominal injuries*, head and facial injuries/fractures
Major determinants of potential for fall injury:
Potential associated injuries for falls with vertical impacts