Polytrauma
Polytrauma and multiple trauma are medical terms describing the condition of a person who has been subjected to multiple
. The term is generic, however, and has been in use for a long time for any case involving multiple trauma.Civilian medicine
In civilian life, polytraumas often are associated with
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) may be effective in treating some polytrauma patients with pulmonary or cardiopulmonary failure.[2]
Military medicine
Polytrauma often results from blast injuries sustained from
In some respects, the high incidence of polytrauma in military medicine is, in fact, a sign of medical advancement. In previous wars most soldiers with such multiple injuries simply did not survive, even if quickly transferred into hospital care. Today many polytrauma victims never fully regain their previous physical capacity, and are more susceptible to psychological complications, such as
U.S. treatment
As of 2013, there were five rehabilitation centers in the U.S. specialising in polytrauma. They are managed by the
Veterans Health Administration (VHA) developed a screening and evaluation process to ensure that OEF/OIF/OND Veterans with TBI are identified, and that they receive appropriate treatments and services. This includes mandatory screening for deployment-related TBI of all OEF/OIF/OND Veterans upon their initial entry into VHA for services. Veterans with positive screens are referred for a comprehensive evaluation by TBI specialists for diagnostic and treatment recommendations.
Based on extensive research, the VA-TBI Screening Tool has revealed high sensitivity and moderate specificity allowing VA to identify symptomatic Veterans and develop an appropriate plan of care. From 2007 to 2015, over 900,000 Veterans have been screened for possible OEF/OIF/OND deployment related TBI. Of those, approximately 20 percent had positive screens and were referred for further evaluation. [1]
Epidemiology
OEF/OIF/OND veterans have a high polytrauma rate.[5][6][7] Respectfully, a study exhibited findings with a population of 16,590 OEF/OIF/OND veterans, in which 27.66% met the criteria for poly trauma.[7] Those within this subpopulation were most likely male (92.9%) and White (71.0%). Similar findings in a sample of 2,441,698 OEF/OIF/OND active duty found that the rate of poly trauma was 5.99 per 1,000 individuals.[6] Of those with polytrauma, 52.15% were most likely between the ages of 20–29 years, male (89.93%), White (69.07%), married (64.18%), and enlisted in the Army (74.71%). Furthermore, the rate of polytrauma among a sample of 613,391 OEF/OIF/OND veterans was 6% (36,800).[8] Additional research has concluded that in a selection of 340 OEF/OIF/OND veterans, 42.1% exhibited symptoms of poly trauma.[9]
As of April 2007, the Department of Veterans Affairs has treated more than 350 service members in their inpatient centers.
The treatment and rehabilitative care for polytrauma patients is a very extensive and time-consuming activity. The recommended staffing numbers (FTE = Full Time Equivalent) for six rehabilitation treatment beds are:[3]
- 0.5 FTE – Physician Discipline FTE Rehabilitation
- 5.5 FTE – Registered Nurse(1.0 must be CRRN)
- 4.0 FTE – Licensed Practical Nurse and/or Certified Nursing Assistant
- 0.5 FTE – Nurse Manager
- 0.5 FTE – Clinical Case Manager, Admission and Follow-up
- 1.0 FTE – Social WorkerCase Manager
- 0.5 FTE – Social Worker
- 1.0 FTE – Speech-Language Pathologist
- 1.0 FTE – Physical Therapist
- 1.0 FTE – Occupational Therapist
- 0.5 FTE – Recreation Therapist
- 0.5 FTE – Counseling Psychologist
- 0.5 FTE – Neuropsychologist
In other words, 2.8 people are required full-time (24h), for every patient, often for months, while some care may be required for life.
References
- ^ Pathophysiology of polytrauma - Keel, M. & Trentz O. - Injury, Volume 36, Issue 6, Pages 691-709
- ^ http://www.resuscitationjournal.com/article/S0300-9572%2810%2900124-3/abstract Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in severe trauma patients with bleeding shock
- ^ a b c d Polytrauma Rehabilitation Procedures Archived 2008-09-21 at the Wayback Machine - Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Handbook, Thursday September 22, 2005
- ^ a b President's Project: Support for VAMC Polytrauma Centers Archived 2006-12-18 at the Wayback Machine (from the American Legion Auxiliary website)
- ^ "Afghanistan/Iraq Veterans". www.research.va.gov. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
- ^ PMID 34050366.
- ^ PMID 31058759.
- PMID 24458958.
- )