General Trauma Protocol

1. Conduct primary survey and correct life-threatening problems FIRST:

a. Airway patency

b. Respiratory distress

c. Unstable vital signs

d. Major bleeding or injuries

2. Full spinal immobilization should be instituted for all trauma patients who sustain a mechanism of injury with the potential for spinal injury UNLESS the patient meets criteria for Selective Spinal Immobilization as set forth in the appropriate protocol.

3. Conduct the secondary survey including:

a. Survey for injuries

b. Neurological evaluation

i. Level of consciousness (AVPU) OR Glasgow Coma Score

ii. Pupil size & status

iii. Extremity movement

4. Initiate O2 administration and cardiac monitoring.

5. In "Major/Multi-System" Trauma Start a large-bore IV (preferably 2) and begin infusion of Isotonic Solution (NS or LR) at rate dictated in Traumatic Shock Protocol.   

6. DO NOT delay transportation unnecessarily to obtain IV.

7. Treat specific injuries as dictated by protocol.

8. Obtain brief history of incident and mechanism of injury.   Determine priority status & notify Medical Control.