Care of the multiple trauma victim. The first hour

Trauma is a devastating event that affects all ages. Trauma can be fatal, disabling, or disfiguring. Public awareness, education, and legislation can affect the trauma statistics of the future. Health professionals such as nurses are working toward these goals, but government and community support is also needed. If 24 per cent of trauma deaths can be prevented when appropriate medical and nursing care is provided within the first hour after injury, then health professionals and hospitals, as well as communities, are obligated to provide a system that makes "appropriate" care available. Appropriate care involves a team approach including prehospital personnel, nurses, physicians, and ancillary services, all trained in performing primary and secondary assessments. Appropriate care also includes immediate treatment of life-threatening injuries and shock during the first hour. Nurses are key members in this team approach. By utilizing assessment skills, nursing diagnosis, interventions, and constant evaluation, the trauma nurse will contribute to the decrease in preventable deaths during the first hour.