Emergency medical services (EMS) providers frequently encounter patients with chest injuries, which account for approximately 25% of all trauma-related deaths, second only to head and neck injuries. These injuries result from penetrating (eg, gunshots, lacerations, and punctures) or blunt trauma (eg, motor vehicle accidents, falls, crush injuries, blasts, and burns) and require rapid intervention and stabilization. EMS protocols are designed to minimize the time between injury and medical care, adhering to the principles of advanced trauma life support (ATLS). Quick transport to a hospital is crucial due to the severity of potential chest trauma sequelae. Immediate interventions may be necessary, but minimizing on-scene time is prioritized, as superior patient outcomes are associated with invasive lifesaving procedures performed in-hospital rather than in the field.Prehospital management is typically categorized as basic life support or ATLS, depending on the level of service provided. Core interventions include noninvasive airway management, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, defibrillation, hemorrhage control, spine immobilization, and splinting/stabilization of extremity fractures. Advanced techniques may include endotracheal intubation, medication administration, cardiac monitoring, and needle decompression. The availability and capabilities of transport services and destination hospitals vary across geographic settings, necessitating adaptations based on local resources and facilities. This activity reviews the critical role of EMS providers in managing chest injuries from penetrating trauma through injury recognition, stabilization, rapid intervention, and transport to a trauma center. This activity highlights EMS protocols that adhere to ATLS principles and emphasizes in-hospital invasive lifesaving procedures for improved patient outcomes.
- Provider:StatPearls, LLC
- Activity Link: https://www.statpearls.com/ArticleLibrary/viewarticle/19381
- Start Date: 2023-09-01 05:00:00
- End Date: 2023-09-01 05:00:00
- Credit Details: AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™️: 1.5 hours
Nursing: 1.5 hours
Pharmacy: 1.5 hours - MOC Credit Details: ABS - 1.5 Point; Credit Type(s): Accredited CME (ABS)
ABOS - 1.5 Point; Credit Type(s): Accredited CME (ABOS)
ABPATH - 1.5 Point; Credit Type(s): Lifelong Learning (ABPATH)
ABA - 1.5 Point; Credit Type(s): Lifelong Learning (ABA)
ABTS - 1.5 Point; Credit Type(s): Accredited CME (ABTS)
ABIM - 1.5 Point; Credit Type(s): Medical Knowledge (ABIM)
ABS - 1.5 Point; Credit Type(s): Self-Assessment (ABS)
ABP - 1.5 Point; Credit Type(s): Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment (ABP)
ABTS - 1.5 Point; Credit Type(s): Self-Assessment (ABTS) - Commercial Support: No
- Activity Type: Enduring Material
- CME Finder Type: Online Learning
- Fee to Participate: Variable
- Measured Outcome: Learner Knowledge, Learner/Team Competence
- Provider Ship: Directly Provided
- Registration: Open to all
- Specialty: All Practice Areas (e.g. ethics), Cardiothoracic, Critical Care, Critical Care Medicine, General Operative Anesthesia, General Orthopaedics, General Pediatrics, General Surgery, General Thoracic, Hospital Medicine, Internal Medicine, Non-Thoracic Surgery, Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, Orthopaedic Trauma, Pediatric Anesthesia, Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Pediatric Pulmonology, Pediatric Surgery, Sports Medicine, Surgical Critical Care, Thoracic Anesthesia, Trauma