Importance of Trauma Radiography

1. assist the radiographer to develop an understanding of the imaging equipment utilized in trauma
2. explain the role of the radiographers as a vital part of the ER team
   
3. present common radiographic procedures performed on trauma patients 
   

Trauma – defined as a sudden, unexpected, dramatic, forceful or violent event
- ranks as the leading cause of death in the US ages 1 – 34 years old 
- this includes suicides, homicides related deaths

Trauma Centers – signifies a specific level of emergency medical care as defined by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Trauma

Categories of Trauma Centers

1. Level 1 – University based center, research facility or large medical center. It provides the most comprehensive emergency medical care available with complete imaging capabilities 24 hours a day. All types of specialty physicians are available 24 hours a day and radiographers are also available 24 hours per day
2. Level II – probably has all or the same specialized care available but differs in that it is not a research or a teaching hospital and some specialty physicians may not be available on site
   
3. Level II – usually located on small communities where level I and level II care is not available. They do not have facilities or specialist available but are able to resuscitate, stabilize, assess and prepare a client for transfer to a bigger trauma center
4. Level IV – may not be a hospital at all but rather a clinic or outpatient setting. This facilities usually facilitates care for minor injuries as well as offer stabilization and arrange for transfer of more serious injuries to a larger trauma center