It is important to understand the impact of trauma and the response to routine treatment as it relates to the age and underlying health status of the patient. Patients in the early and late stages of life may present differently in relation to their injuries and respond differently to the management of those injuries.
Briefly review the differences listed above. Details of the differences will be reviewed in upcoming slides.
Let’s look at some very specific differences that we need to incorporate into the assessment and management of the pediatric trauma patient: The child’s body offers a smaller target, which results in more damage than would be found in similar traumatic events in an adult. The skeleton of a child is less able to absorb the force applied against it during a traumatic event. This force is transmitted to the underlying structures, resulting in major internal damage despite minor external injury. For example, although rib fractures are uncommon, pulmonary contusion is common.
As with all trauma patients, the significantly traumatized child needs an oxygen concentration of 98%-100%. Supplemental oxygen should be delivered via pediatric mask.
Now, lets look at some very specific differences that need to be factored in to the assessment and management of the elderly trauma patient.
Retired individuals may not be aware of the day or date. Don’t confuse this with alteration or deterioration in mental status. Many elderly are on fixed incomes and have to choose between food or medication. In other situations, the elderly do not have resources available to transport them to the market or the pharmacy; therefore they do not have adequate food or may not be compliant with prescription medications. The principals of packaging and immobilization do not change. Necessary modifications may need to be made to accommodate curvatures of the neck, spine, thorax, pelvis, or extremities.
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