Emergency medical services should notify the receiving hospital that a trauma patient is on their way. This information may be crucial to the management of the severely injured patient and can allow for communication to vital members of the response team as well as time to prepare the department for the patient’s arrival.
Once notification has been received it is important to:
Mechanism of injury
Injuries found or suspected
Signs: respiratory rate, pulse, blood pressure, SpO2, GCS or AVPU
Treatment given
If it is anticipated that transfer to an MTS will be required, early retrieval activation is essential (phone Adult Retrieval Victoria (ARV) on 1300 368 661).
If you are undecided, call the ARV coordinator, who can provide expert guidance and advice over the phone or via tele/videoconference and link to an MTS as required.