Even the most experienced trauma teams can overlook the basics in the chaos of a resus. These pearls focus on three simple but critical steps – ones that improve communication, prevent missed injuries, and keep care consistent. Let’s get sharper.
These pearls are based on video and patient reviews done at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
- Take down the collar: Be sure to check UNDER the collar to look at the neck, while maintaining stable C-spine.
Bonus resource: Read about PECARN’s C-Spine injury prediction rule or listen to The Cribsiders’ podcast episode.
- Do we need the O2? Default should be 100% O2 by mask or nasal cannula. Verbalize if you want to defer it!
Bonus resource: Explore the always scary “Can’t Intubate, Can’t Oxygenate” scenario on Don’t Forget the Bubbles.
- Announce the survey: Verbally confirming that the survey is complete = clear documentation and a team on the same page!
Bonus resource: Test your knowledge on the primary and secondary survey in this post from Life in the Fastlane.
Special thanks to Dr. Sarah Fesnak (Associate Director of Trauma for Emergency Medicine) and the ED Trauma Committee at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Dr. Joshua Belfer, MD, is a Pediatric Emergency Medicine physician at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of HipPEMcrates. He can be reached at HipPEMcrates@gmail.com.
