The trauma team concept and its implementation in a district general hospital

A trauma team approach to the initial assessment, investigation and treatment of potentially seriously injured patients has been implemented at a district general hospital. Team members are mobilised by an emergency paging system which is activated when a patient fulfils one or more of a predetermined list of historical, pathophysiological and anatomical criteria. Aspects of the function of the trauma team were assessed after 10 months of operation. The problems encountered and solutions implemented are discussed. As a result, the structure and function of the trauma team has been modified and improved. Although hospitals differ in workload and staffing, the trauma team concept is possible and achievable at no extra cost. Trauma teams maximise existing resources and constitute a valid approach to the early management of the irregular presentation of the severely injured patient to district general hospitals. The establishment of such teams with members who should be ATLS trained, should be a current priority in district general hospitals in the UK.