Trauma - an Orchestra of Life-Saving Care

Over the past three months, my time here at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital has been eye opening to say the least. Through clinical rotations and executive management meetings I have seen first hand the necessary composure for handling difficult situations.

One of the more astounding events I have witnessed is a “trauma situation”. THFW is designated as a Level 2 Trauma Center. This designation, like many others, requires the facility to meet numerous requirements. There are four levels of trauma with Level 1 being the highest and Level 4 being the lowest.

A Level 2 Trauma Center requires a facility to be on alert at all hours of the day. Trauma centers were established because hospitals realized that such life threatening events needed multiple specialties that may not be on call. This requires THFW to provide on call specialists, including surgeons, orthopedics, neurosurgeons, plastics surgeons, radiologists, anesthesiologists, etc.. In additional to 24 hour coverage, THFW provides outreach programs, educational programs in an effort to reduce the number of traumatic events. These programs focus not only on trauma education but on injury prevention as a whole.

The intent of this blog was not to educate individuals on Trauma Centers, but to express my appreciation and admiration for the Trauma Team at THFW. It seems as though it’s an orchestra of individuals providing life-sustaining care in the up-most distressing events. When I arrive on site to witness the care of a trauma patient, typically the whole team is waiting unvaryingly for the patient to arrive. Patients can come by family members, ambulances, and air (the majority of trauma centers have helicopters pads). Before the patient arrives, work has begun. Registration has gathered information in addition to nurses and patient care technicians reading the room. The ER physician and the Trauma Surgeon head the table as the patient arrives and delegates orders to ensure that the patient gets necessary care as fast and as safe as possible. Other disciplines are called in as needed. For example, a patient involved in a motor vehicle accident will needed multiple tests and most often the x-ray technicians are on standby outside the room waiting for the nod to come in and perform the test. As care is provided the chaplain weaves in and out gathering personal information and alerting family members of the situation and status. Once family members arrive they are given a current status and get answers to any questions the medical staff can provide. As care continues the physician and charge nurse will find time to speak with the family. Once the patient is stable family members are permitted to come back into the trauma area to see their loved ones.

These situations evolve around high-stress environments when a necessity for level headedness and compassion. I express my utmost appreciation and admiration for the Trauma Team @ THFW – Thank you.

- Melissa Reichardt
Administrative Resident