Trauma is the leading cause of death between ages 1-44. The “Golden Hour”
represents the need for quick, accurate, and efficient response which can lead to the
improved morbidity and mortality. Even in the community hospital setting,
practitioners should be current in BLS, ACLS and PALS. Common categories of injury
are traumatic brain injury, and penetrating injuries. After the primary survey,
stabilization, and secondary survey; prompt decisions should be made for the need to
transfer the pediatric patient to a pediatric hospital and trauma center or to maintain
care in the community hospital setting.
Keywords: Blunt force injury, Pediatric trauma, Penetrating injury, Primary
survey, Secondary survey, Traumatic brain injury.
