Road accidents can occur in seconds, but the effects can last for days, weeks and months and sometimes for a lifetime, particularly if the injuries are not treated quickly and properly. Some do not realise that an injury is serious until it hurts, or that it is a scrape or bruise, so they do not see the need to seek medical attention. Understanding when an injury requires a trauma centre treatment and not just first aid treatment can mean the difference between making a full recovery versus having complications.
What is the difference in trauma care?
A trauma centre is not simply an emergency room; it’s a centre that is specially equipped to deal with severe, frequently life-threatening injuries that demand swift and coordinated intervention. These centres have on-site blood banks, on-standby operating theatres, fast imaging technology and specialists from various disciplines (orthopaedics, neurosurgery, general surgery), who can respond to each other without any delay. In studies on road accidents, there may be involvement of more than one part of the body; consequently, this type of coordinated response is often necessary.
Common injuries as a result of road accidents
Road crashes can result in a variety of injuries – some obvious and others under the surface. Fractures and dislocations are among the common conditions, involving the limb, pelvis and spine. Even minor concussions through to more severe cases of brain trauma are a serious concern, especially in two-wheeler crashes. They can be very dangerous, even if no wounds are visible, as internal injuries may result in damage to the liver, spleen or kidneys. Breathing may be impaired if there are injuries to the chest, such as fractured ribs or lung damage, and the condition may be life-threatening. Deep cuts, road rash and soft tissue injuries also occur regularly, and while these injuries might appear manageable, they can easily become infected if not treated correctly.
Some signs are easy to miss, and they can look similar.
If you have any of the following symptoms following a road accident, it’s not something that you should delay a visit to a trauma centre for. These include:
- Any unconsciousness, even for a short time
- Very bad or getting worse headache
- Trouble breathing, or chest pain
- Bleeding that is not controlled, or that is heavy.
- Absence of alertness or change in limb activity in any part of the body.
- Abdominal pain, swelling or tenderness
- Deformity of a limb or joint that can be seen.
- Unusual drowsiness, confusion or slurred speech
- Head injury causing vomiting
While an injury might not appear of great significance on the outside, there may be injuries on the inside that take hours to show up, and it may be best to come in sooner instead of waiting to see if it will get better.
Immediate evaluation is important for several reasons:
Time is a critical factor in the outcome in the case of trauma injuries. If not promptly recognised and treated, internal bleeding, swelling around the brain or decreased blood supply to organs may get worse very quickly. There is a critical window of opportunity immediately following a serious injury when timely action can make a huge difference to a complete recovery. Even a few hours’ postponement of evaluation may cause a manageable injury to deteriorate into a life-threatening one.
When you get to a trauma centre!
Patients are quickly evaluated on arrival by conducting a short assessment of breathing, circulation, consciousness and visible injuries, which takes only minutes. With this initial evaluation, the team determines what tests are required to come up with a more complete picture of the injury, even if it is not externally visible, such as an X-ray, CT scan, or ultrasound. More than one specialist may be working at the same time on a patient with severe or multiple injuries, so that no injury is neglected while the other is attended to.
Treatment of some common injuries:
Treatment will of course depend on the type and extent of the injury being suffered. Depending on the severity of the fracture, realignment, casting and surgical intervention (plates and screws) may be required. Head injuries are closely watched, and repeat scans may be done to ensure there is no swelling or bleeding that may occur during the next several hours. Internal injuries may require immediate surgery to stop bleeding or repair damaged organs, and chest injuries might necessitate procedures to help breathing or to remove fluid. The wounds and soft tissue injuries are adequately cleaned and treated to prevent infections, and if necessary, stitches would be applied or minor procedures performed. Each treatment is customised to fit the patient, rather than the injury, and always takes into account the patient’s overall health.
After an accident, you should:
Just a few steps can be taken before reaching the medical facility to alleviate the pain, but professional medical care is a must. Do not unnecessarily move the injured (particularly if suspected of spinal injury), as inappropriate handling can aggravate the injury. If there is any bleeding, apply gentle pressure to stop it and use a clean cloth if available. Stay calm, keep the person still and do not feed or give water, in case of surgery. Most significantly, move the person to the nearest trauma centre as soon as possible – not until symptoms go away.
Why is it important to pick the right trauma centre?
Not all hospitals have the necessary resources to effectively manage severe trauma patients. Having a dedicated trauma centre that has specialists on hand 24/7, advanced imaging, and immediate surgery dramatically increases the chances of a quick recovery. A team with the capability to work together on multiple injuries, without transferring the patient between facilities, saves valuable time, and time is valuable when every minute counts.
Conclusion
Road accident injuries are often minor and/or life-threatening, and the best way to deal with injuries is to seek immediate medical assessment. Early identification of the warning signs and prompt action can make a huge difference in the outcomes of recovery. Our team of trauma experts, along with the advanced facilities at Criticare Hospital, Lucknow, is available for immediate, coordinated treatment in case of injuries arising out of accidents.
