Tertiary survey of the trauma patient in the intensive care unit.

The issues surrounding the arrival of trauma patients to the ICU have been defined. By necessity, many of these topics are dealt with elsewhere in greater detail. The basic framework within which this phase of care could be optimized has been provided. Pitfalls related to patients' mode of arrival to the ICU affect subsequent management and should direct specific clinical activity. The tertiary survey is a complete summation and cataloguing of a patient's injuries. The need for ongoing resuscitation determines how much attention can be paid to the tertiary survey. Clinical suspicion based on mechanism and pattern of injury and thorough, repeated, complete physical examination are the essential elements of the tertiary survey. The survey is affected by factors that alter patients' mental status because examination is most reliable in patients who can localize pain. Medications, intoxication, and head injuries are common factors that interfere with the reliability of the tertiary survey for variable periods. Radiographic assessment is used to identify injuries suspected on the basis of mechanism of injury, injury pattern, and findings on physical examination. Some studies may be done portably; others require transport within the hospital. The intensivist must prioritize these ongoing diagnostic studies based on patient stability and the need for ongoing resuscitation.