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Initial Assessment and Diagnostics

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Textbook of Polytrauma Management

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Abstract

Polytrauma patients are at high risk of postinjury complications and death. The fast-tracked initial assessment and diagnostic workup by the ATLS® protocol allows to identify and manage potentially life-threatening injuries in a prioritized sequence, using a standardized and internationally validated checklist. After stabilizing vital functions including establishing a patient airway and assuring adequate breathing and ventilation, the subsequent key question “Is the patient in shock?” must be addressed by clinical assessment, laboratory parameters, and imaging studies in a timely fashion, in parallel to appropriate resuscitation and measures of bleeding control. Trauma patients with postinjury coagulopathy have a high predicted mortality. The established “endpoints of resuscitation” must be addressed by ongoing resuscitative measures during the initial assessment. Of critical importance, the diagnostic workup must allow to determine whether a trauma patient’s needs exceed the resources of a facility, with a consideration for early patient transfer to a trauma center with appropriate resources and capabilities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Specialty Medicine, Rocky Vista University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Parker, CO, USA

    Philip F. Stahel & Adrian W. Olson

Authors
  1. Philip F. Stahel
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  2. Adrian W. Olson
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland

    Hans-Christoph Pape

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine, The University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA

    Joseph Borrelli Jr.

  3. Ernest E. Moore Shock Trauma Center at Denver Health, University of Colorado, Denver, CO, USA

    Ernest E. Moore

  4. Klinik für Traumatologie, University Hospital of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland

    Roman Pfeifer

  5. Rocky Vista University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Parker, CO, USA

    Philip F. Stahel

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Stahel, P.F., Olson, A.W. (2022). Initial Assessment and Diagnostics. In: Pape, HC., Borrelli Jr., J., Moore, E.E., Pfeifer, R., Stahel, P.F. (eds) Textbook of Polytrauma Management . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-95906-7_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-95906-7_6

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-95905-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-95906-7

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