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• Minimum OEMS Priority 1 Trauma Team Activation Criteria Updated

Minimum OEMS Priority 1 Trauma Team Activation Criteria Updated

While the information contained in this news article was current and accurate when we posted it, it may not necessarily represent current WVOEMS policy or procedure. If you have any questions, please contact our office at 304-558-3956.

Posted: Thursday, July 23, 2015 12:45 PM

To be consistent with the new American College of Surgeons "Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient 2014" guidelines that went into effect July 1, 2015, the minimum OEMS Priority 1 Trauma Team Activation (TTA) criteria has been updated to include:

• Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) < 9 (less than 9)
• Gunshot wounds to extremities proximal to the elbow/knee.

In addition, the WV EMS Special Operational Policy and Treatment Protocol 9103 "Field Trauma Triage" has been updated to correspond with these criteria changes and will go into effect August 1, 2015.

In review the "minimum OEMS P1 TTA criteria" are:

1. CONFIRMED blood pressure <90 mm Hg at any time in adults or age specific hypotension in children;
2. Respiratory compromise or in need of an emergent airway;

-Includes intubated patients who are transferred from another facility with ongoing respiratory compromise

1. Intubated patients transferred from the scene;
2. Transfer patients from other hospitals receiving blood to maintain vital signs;
3. Gunshot wounds to abdomen, neck, or chest or extremities proximal to the elbow/knee;
4. Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) < 9 (less than 9) with mechanism attributed to trauma;
5. Emergency physician discretion.

All of the WV trauma centers have been notified of this change. The revised 9103 protocol can be found online.