Trauma Operational Policy

Details: Last Updated: Tuesday, 03 October 2017 16:16

Introduction

Ashford and St Peter’s NHS Trust (ASPH) is a member of the South West London and Surrey Trauma Network (SWL&STN). The Network was established in 2010 in response to the NCEPOD report – Trauma: who cares which recommended that there be consistent and good quality care, in the most appropriate place, throughout the region for patients presenting with trauma related injury. St Peter’s Hospital (SPH) is a recognised trauma unit and has met the criteria established by the South East Coast Trauma Group in 2011. SPH receives trauma predominantly from South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) and self-presentations. An increasing amount of our seriously injured patients with an Injury Severity Score of >15 are elderly fallers who do not appear as major trauma in the classical sense.

Major trauma is bypassed to the Major Trauma Centre (MTC) at St George’s Hospital (SGH) using a decision tree (See appendix 1). If a patient sustains multiple traumas and can be transferred to the MTC within 60mins they will be directly transferred via SECamb. However, if a patient arrives at SPH with multi-trauma or is in imminent need of resuscitation; once stabilised, they will be transferred to the MTC. Patients stable and suitable for our expertise will be admitted to St Peter’s under the care of the most relevant specialty.

Purpose

The policy provides a framework within the SWL&STN. This policy is made available to all staff as a reference guide and has direct links to other trust procedural documents, which contribute to the care of trauma patients.

Policy Details

Download:	PDF version
Compiled by:	Dr Helen Cannon, Consultant Lead for Trauma
Ratified by:	Quality and Performance Governance Committee
Date Ratified:	June 2017
Date Issued:	October 2017
Review Date:	June 2020
Target Audience:	Emergency Care, Trauma Teams, All Divisions
Contact name:	Dr Helen Cannon, Consultant Lead for Trauma