Sternal fracture primarily results from blunt, anterior chest-wall trauma and deceleration injuries and have an incidence of 3% to 6.8% in motor vehicle collisions. Additional causes include athletic injuries, falls, and assaults. Clinicians commonly diagnose these fractures using lateral chest radiographs or chest computed tomography scans. Sternal fractures significantly increase the risk of other injuries, which influences patient disposition regarding associated injuries, comorbidities, and pain management. Most patients with sternal fractures present to the emergency department and may require close monitoring, sometimes in an intensive care unit. Although most patients recover within 4 to 6 weeks, some may experience chronic pain or nonunion.The evaluation and management of sternal fractures follow Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) guidelines. This begins with an assessment of the airway, breathing, and circulation, followed by a primary survey to address life-threatening conditions. Associated injuries, such as tension pneumothorax, hemothorax, cardiac tamponade, and flail chest, must be promptly managed. While sternal fractures pose significant risks, effective management and multidisciplinary care usually lead to favorable patient outcomes. This activity outlines the evaluation and treatment of sternal fractures and describes the role of the interprofessional healthcare team in providing care to patients with this injury.
- Provider:StatPearls, LLC
- Activity Link: https://www.statpearls.com/ArticleLibrary/viewarticle/29493
- Start Date: 2023-09-01 05:00:00
- End Date: 2023-09-01 05:00:00
- Credit Details: AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™️: 1.0 hours
Nursing: 1.0 hours
Pharmacy: 1.0 hours - MOC Credit Details: ABS - 1.0 Point; Credit Type(s): Accredited CME (ABS)
ABOS - 1.0 Point; Credit Type(s): Accredited CME (ABOS)
ABPATH - 1.0 Point; Credit Type(s): Lifelong Learning (ABPATH)
ABA - 1.0 Point; Credit Type(s): Lifelong Learning (ABA)
ABTS - 1.0 Point; Credit Type(s): Accredited CME (ABTS)
ABIM - 1.0 Point; Credit Type(s): Medical Knowledge (ABIM)
ABS - 1.0 Point; Credit Type(s): Self-Assessment (ABS)
ABP - 1.0 Point; Credit Type(s): Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment (ABP)
ABTS - 1.0 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: Adolescent Medicine, Cardiothoracic, Child Abuse Pediatrics, Critical Care Medicine, General Operative Anesthesia, General Orthopaedics, General Pediatrics, General Surgery, Geriatric Medicine, Hospital Medicine, Internal Medicine, Neurocritical Care, Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, Orthopaedic Trauma, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, Soft Tissue & Bone, Sports Medicine, Surgical Critical Care, Trauma