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Prehospital Care

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Geriatric Trauma and Critical Care

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Abstract

Critically injured trauma patients must receive the highest quality of care from the earliest moments following injury. Rapid and effective prehospital trauma care can often mean the difference between life and death for many patients. In the United States, most prehospital care is provided by the emergency medical technician (EMT) or paramedic. In many countries throughout the world, prehospital care is provided by nurses or physicians. The prehospital environment is difficult, with weather conditions, poor lighting, unruly crowds, and lack of additional support staff all contributing to the challenges faced by the emergency medical service (EMS) provider. EMS members must do their job alone in the back of an ambulance or helicopter without the conveniences or comforts found in the trauma bay. Trauma team members should familiarize themselves with their local EMS providers and actively support their participation within the trauma system.

“The fate of the wounded rests in the hands of the one who applies the first dressing.”

Col. Nicholas Senn (1844–1908)

Founder, Association of Military Surgeons of the United States

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Denver Health Medical Center, University of Colorado, Denver, CO, USA

    Eric Campion MD (Assistant Professor of Surgery)

  2. LSU Department of Surgery, New Orleans, LA, USA

    Lance Stuke MD, MPH (Associate Professor of Surgery)

Authors
  1. Eric Campion MD
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  2. Lance Stuke MD, MPH
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lance Stuke MD, MPH .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Stritch School of Medicine Loyola University of Chicago Edward Hines, Jr. Veterans Administration Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA

    Fred A. Luchette

  2. Professor of Surgery, Hofstra School of Medicine Medical Director for Surgical and Perioperative Services, Southside Hospital/Northwell Health, Bay Shore, New York, USA

    Jay A. Yelon

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© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG

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Campion, E., Stuke, L. (2017). Prehospital Care. In: Luchette, F., Yelon, J. (eds) Geriatric Trauma and Critical Care. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48687-1_22

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48687-1_22

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-48685-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-48687-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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