This guideline covers the rapid identification and early management of major trauma in pre‑hospital and hospital settings, including ambulance services, emergency departments, major trauma centres and trauma units.
Major trauma: assessment and initial management aims to reduce deaths and disabilities in people with serious injuries by improving the quality of their immediate care. It does not cover care for people with burns. NHS England’s clinical reference group (CRG) produce the service specification for major trauma. The CRG intends to consider the NICE guidelines on major trauma, major trauma: service delivery, spinal injury and complex fractures in future updates to the service specification which are planned for 2017.
The guideline should be read alongside the NICE guidelines on major trauma: service delivery, spinal injury, complex fractures and fractures.
Recommendations
This guideline includes recommendations on:
- immediate destination after injury
- airway management
- management of chest trauma in pre-hospital and hospital settings
- management of haemorrhage
- pain management
- information and support for patients with major trauma and their families and carers
Who is it for?
- Healthcare professionals and practitioners who provide care for people with major trauma in pre-hospital and hospital settings.
- People with major trauma, their families and carers.
Related publications
Glen J, Constanti M, Brohi K. Assessment and initial management of major trauma: summary of NICE guidance. BMJ. 2016; 353:i3051