We have what we call the TART (Trauma Activation Response Team) system at
Baylor. When EMS or Dispatch notifies the ER of a trauma that's on the way, the
Clinical Coordinator in the ER enters the info. into our computer system which
then sets off all the "trauma" pagers of the team members. We have developed
"TART 1" & "TART 2" criteria depending on the injury & severity given in the
pre-hospital report, and we have based this criteria from the ACS-COT Gold Book
guidelines. TART 1 activations are the most severe (neck & chest trauma,
unstable vs, etc...). TART 2 activations are less severe (stable fractures,
stable vs, etc...). The Clinical Coordinator activates a TART depending on the
criteria, as may the Trauma Coordinator or Trauma Clinician, but the ER
physician may TART at his or her discretion. One of our biggest issues is that
the ER doc frequently will not TART until they eyeball the patient coming
through the door, which can mess things up because then the response time is
delayed, which, as you put it, could crucify us as well. We then have the other
end of the spectrum in which one of our ER docs will TART EVERYTHING.
Justin Milici, RN,BSN,CCRN,CEN,CFRN
Trauma Outreach Coordinator
Baylor University Medical Center
3500 Gaston Ave.
Dallas, TX 75246
(214) 820-6818
Fax: (214) 820-1086
JustinM@bhcs.com
-----Original Message-----
From: traumanurses-bounce@mailman.listserve.com on behalf of Green, Brian
Sent: Tue 1/20/2004 3:25 PM
To: traumanurses@mailman.listserve.com
Cc:
Subject: [traumanurses] Activation
We have recently opened a can of worms here and I am wondering how other
institutions across the country activate the trauma team. Our current system
is the triage nurse informs the ED physician of an incoming patient, then he
decides according to our criteria if a trauma should be activated. In some
circumstances, the physicians have taken a “wait and see approach” to
activation, wanting to see the patient themselves and not rely on EMS triage
decisions. I am thinking that this could crucify us during a verification
visit. The ED physicians do not want to give this up. Any thoughts?
Brian J. Green
Trauma Program Manager
St. John Hospital and Medical Center
313 343 7309
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