Trauma Newsletter March 2026-Trauma Newsletter March 2026

Pdf Summary

The March 2026 Trauma Newsletter from SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital highlights their trauma care approach emphasizing rapid hemorrhage control to prevent death from bleeding. Thousands of trauma patients are triaged and managed annually using Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) protocols, prioritizing bleeding control with the X-ABCDE mnemonic. Community laypersons and pre-hospital providers play a critical role by applying tourniquets, wound packing, or pelvic binders to stabilize patients before hospital arrival. Rapid transport to the nearest Level 1 Trauma Center is vital for optimal outcomes.<br /><br />In the Emergency Department, blood products including whole blood, red blood cells, and fresh frozen plasma are stored nearby for immediate use. The Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) exam is a key diagnostic tool to detect internal bleeding in the chest, abdomen, and pelvis. Positive FAST scans prompt urgent surgery alongside blood transfusion.<br /><br />Damage control surgery focuses on quick bleeding control, contamination prevention, temporary closures, and planned reoperations. Post-surgery, patients receive intensive stabilization in the Trauma ICU with continuous resuscitation, hemodynamic monitoring, coagulation management, and temperature control. After stabilization, patients transfer to trauma floors for ongoing care, rehabilitation, and eventual discharge home or to rehab centers. The trauma care continuum starts in the community and continues through hospital and outpatient recovery phases.<br /><br />The hospital participates in the Trauma Survivor Network (TSN), providing peer support and emotional healing resources to patients. Upcoming, the hospital will host a "Race to Rebuild" event on May 20th to celebrate trauma survivors during National Trauma Month. Staff education includes a quiz highlighting key trauma management points such as bleeding control benefits, the FAST exam purpose, and blood product timing.<br /><br />References cite recent research on damage control resuscitation, trauma ultrasonography, and transfusion protocols, supporting the hospital’s evidence-based trauma care practices.

Asset Caption

Definitive Hemorrhage Management in Trauma: Part 3, Hospital Phase

Keywords

Trauma care

Hemorrhage control

Advanced Trauma Life Support

X-ABCDE mnemonic

Tourniquet application

Level 1 Trauma Center

Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma

Damage control surgery

Trauma ICU stabilization

Trauma Survivor Network