Trauma patients, especially those who experience prolonged hospitalization, can be vulnerable to pressure injuries and other hospital-acquired complications (HACs). The challenge for trauma program leaders is that it can be difficult to identify the root causes of high complication rates. Even…
Uncontrolled bleeding is one of the main contributors to mortality following traumatic injury. While controlling the source of bleeding is crucial, other strategies are often important for ensuring a positive patient outcome. Trauma and emergency nurses should understand these strategies and…
The Trauma Nursing column is produced in partnership with the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN®), developer of the Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN®) certification.Geriatric patients, defined as adults aged 65 and older, can experience significant injury and disability following…
Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) was developed to help fulfill one of the major tenets of trauma patient management — stop massive exsanguination. While REBOA has many supporters, controversies surrounding both its placement and efficacy abound. Even physicians who…
Forty years ago, Peter Rosen, MD, then the chair of the Emergency Department at Denver General Hospital (now Denver Health), defined a concept he called “The Technical Imperative.” Quite simply, the Technical Imperative is the principle that “If a procedure is taught,…
The goal of the national Stop the Bleed campaign [1] is to empower everyday people to provide life-saving bleeding control. While the program is aimed at the general public, it could also be a big benefit to police officers, sheriff’s deputies, state…