Taking the tricks out of trauma

Decisions must be made rapidly in the field when assessing trauma patients. Acronyms, such as ESCAPE, can help you remember important facts and aid your assessment. The important thing to remember about the MAPP system is that a score is assigned only after you evaluate patient and scene circumstances. The next time you meet a shell master, spend some time figuring out his system and beat him at his own game. But don't play guessing games with trauma victims. Use a systematic approach to quickly assess your trauma patients and determine the need to transport them to a trauma center.