Trauma teams vs non-trauma teams.

This paper gives an overview of research which analysed the nurse's role in the UK trauma team. A prospective study was carried out of 100 trauma patients in 6 UK Accident and Emergency (A & E) departments. The patients were observed throughout their time in the department and the time taken to assess and resuscitate them was monitored along with the structure and organisation of the team. The results revealed that in departments where no trauma teams were present 25% of the patients did not have a secure airway during their stay in the A & E department, and 18% of patients did not have any intravenous access. In comparison, departments with teams secured the airway and obtained intravenous access in 100% of the cases observed. The results highlighted that a structured organised team, with predetermined roles and responsibilities for both nursing and medical staff, has a direct bearing on patient outcome.