Trauma
Strategies of Advanced Trauma Life Support utilize a standardized approach to promptly identify and manage life-threatening traumatic injuries, including recognition of cardiopulmonary disorders, volume resuscitation, and prevention of additional injuries including to the cervical spine.
Abstract
Traumatic injuries are the most common cause of death within the United States for children above one year of age Most traumatic injuries in children are a result of motor vehicle accidents, child abuse (or nonaccidental trauma), drowning, thermal injury, or falls. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for children above the age of one year. Strategies of Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) utilize a standardized approach to promptly identify and manage life-threatening traumatic injuries. These strategies include recognition of cardiopulmonary disorders, volume resuscitation, and prevention of additional injuries including to the cervical spine. A management plan for severe and uncontrolled bleeding is critically important to have established when caring for children with traumatic injuries. Many strategies have been developed to manage severe and uncontrolled bleeding including the use of massive transfusion protocols, damage control surgery, and hemostatic agents.