A Multi-disciplinary Approach to Trauma Management
An organised multi-disciplinary team approach to the care of the injured patient is essential to the successful development of injury management services within trauma centres. The multi-disciplinary team is developed, led and evaluated by a Trauma Service, comprised of the Trauma Medical Director, Trauma Nurse Coordinator, Trauma Data Manager and Administrative support. The Trauma Service may also include Trauma Fellows, Trauma Registrars and Case Managers. The Trauma Service coordinates the larger multi-disciplinary team which is tailored to the needs of each patient and typically consists of various medical and nursing specialties, allied health and rehabilitation clinicians. The Trauma Service is responsible for the education of the multi disciplinary team and the overall care rendered by the team.
The Trauma Director "drives" the day to day care of the injured patient within the hospital and has the responsibility for evaluating the way this care is delivered. The Trauma Director ensures the patient gets the right care by the right doctors, nurses and allied health team members within the hospital.
The Trauma Nurse Coordinator works with the Trauma Director to make sure the patients are getting the appropriate care. The Trauma Nurse Coordinator does, in fact, coordinate the day to day management of the hospital trauma service and monitors the daily progress of the patient with particular attention to preventing complications of injury care. As the Trauma Nurse Coordinator is an expert clinician in injury care they also act as a resource for other staff within the health care system.
The Area Trauma Coordinator is responsible for supporting and coordinating the Injury Management Program in the Urban Trauma Centres linked to the Major Trauma Service.
The Trauma Data Manager is responsible for collecting the evidence to show that the Injury Management Program is working. Data is required to measure the performance of the system and to change clinical care to improve the patient's recovery from injury. Data allows the doctors and nurses to look at their practice and make improvements.
Clearly, given the great volume of injured people utilising NSW Health, an Injury Management System designed to decrease the mortality, morbidity and cost of injury to the community is needed. This system can only lead to improved treatment and improved outcomes for the injured patient in NSW.
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