Major Trauma Top 10 priorities

The most important questions

  1. How can different specialities and teams work better together to improve patient care for major trauma patients (e.g. Pre-hospital, Intensive care, therapists)?
  2. How can the detection and treatment of complications of surgery be improved (e.g. using technology or novel strategies to detect infection)?
  3. How can psychological input for major trauma patients and their families be improved?
  4. What outcomes are important to patients after major trauma?
  5. What are the most effective and safest methods for pain relief after major trauma?
  6. How can early involvement of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and other allied health professionals be used to improve patient outcomes following major trauma?
  7. How can the care of older major trauma patients and those with existing medical conditions (e.g. bone health and falls assessments) be improved?
  8. How can support and communication be improved for patients and their families after major trauma?
  9. How can volunteer or peer support benefit patients after major trauma?
  10. Which pre-hospital interventions improve major trauma patient outcomes?

The following questions were also discussed and put in order of priority at the workshop:

  1. How can information given to patients about rehabilitation and expected recovery be improved after major trauma?
  2. What is the best way to accurately triage which patients should be transported to specialist trauma hospitals?
  3. How can the discharge process for major trauma patients be improved?
  4. How can the recognition and detection of injuries in patients with major trauma be improved, especially in older people?
  5. What is the best way to prevent blood clots in major trauma patients?
  6. How can pain relief be improved in order that effective rehabilitation can be started earlier?
  7. How can complications be prevented in patients with broken ribs and other chest injuries?
  8. Can nutritional support be used to improve outcomes following major trauma?
  9. What is the best way of training trauma care providers, in order to standardise care for patients?

Document downloads

For full details of all of the questions identified by this PSP, please see this PSP spreadsheet.