Trauma and Disaster Management

Trauma patients are seen at nearly every facility with varying degree of intensity and frequency, and management of the trauma patient is reliably within the expected knowledge and scope of a perioperative intensivist. The range of clinical issues potentially seen in the trauma patient span all systems and frequently necessitate a risk benefit assessment in a systematic manner in order to optimal manage a complex patient. Keeping that in mind, there are fundamental concerns that are frequently encountered in trauma patients, and a systematic and thorough approach to this population is necessary in order to provide excellent care. This chapter is structured to provide a review of common concerns in the management of trauma and to reveal common pitfalls of trauma and disaster management that are easily testable.