{"id":3211,"date":"2011-01-05T12:55:13","date_gmt":"2011-01-05T17:55:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ehealth.cooperhealth.org\/?p=3211"},"modified":"2011-01-05T12:55:13","modified_gmt":"2011-01-05T17:55:13","slug":"understanding-physical-trauma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/2011\/01\/05\/understanding-physical-trauma\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Physical Trauma"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"UnderstandingWhether caused by a fall in the home, an accident at work or a car crash, the body’s response to traumatic injury can be highly complex.<\/p>\n

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), unintentional traumatic injury (from falls, accidents, assaults, etc.) kills more people between the ages of 1 and 44 than any other disease or illness. However, CDC-supported research shows a 25 percent reduction in deaths for severely injured patients who receive care at a Level I trauma center rather than at a non-trauma center.<\/p>\n

In addition to the emergency treatment required for initial critical injuries, the physical damage to the body caused by the trauma can result in further, serious consequences.<\/p>\n

\u201cTraumatic injury is a disease process unto itself. Biochemical changes occur throughout the body in response to the traumatic injuries, including in organs distant from, and seemingly unconnected to, the site of injury,\u201d said Steven E. Ross, MD<\/a>, Director of the Level I Trauma Center at Cooper<\/a> University Hospital. For example, a patient with a fractured pelvis is at extremely high risk for developing a deep venous thrombosis, blood clots in the leg veins, which can result in pulmonary embolism \u2013 a clot that travels from the injured site to the main artery of the lung, which can result in sudden death.<\/p>\n

Also, \u201cElderly patients in particular are at increased risk for major problems after even minor injuries, due to pre-existing medical problems limiting their ability to respond to stress,\u201d Dr. Ross said.<\/p>\n

What is a trauma center?<\/h3>\n

A trauma center is a hospital that is designated by a state or local authority, or is verified by the American College of Surgeons, for having the resources and equipment needed to help care for severely injured patients. In New Jersey, trauma centers are classified as Level I or Level II, with Level I trauma centers providing the highest level of trauma care, and Level II trauma centers providing care to patients who do not require the highly specialized trauma care available at the higher Level I centers.<\/p>\n

The Level I Trauma Center at Cooper<\/h3>\n

The Trauma Center at Cooper University Hospital is the only Level I trauma center in South Jersey. Each year, nearly 3,000 patients with life-threatening injuries are rushed to Cooper from throughout the nine-county region. Studies show that patients with critical injuries have a much better chance of survival and recovery when they receive definitive care rapidly, during the \u2018Golden Hour’ — the window of time in which the lives of a majority of critically injured trauma patients can be saved. At Cooper\u2019s Trauma Center, a team of specialists led by a trauma surgeon is available in the hospital 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing urgent evaluation and specialized care for seriously injured adults and children.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Cooper Trauma Center has a full complement of specialists and services, operating rooms, lab, blood bank, and radiologic capabilities, intensive care units, and advanced technology to take care of each patient\u2019s complex and critical needs immediately,\u201d Dr. Ross said. \u201cOur highly trained and experienced trauma team is always ready and available to provide immediate, expert care.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to remember that you have a choice where you or a loved one receives emergency care. Should you or a loved one find yourself in another health care facility, with serious injury, request a transfer to Cooper, where specialized and experienced multidisciplinary treatment and specialized resources are available all day, every day.<\/p>\n

–by Denice Ferrarelli<\/em><\/p>\n

Related Links:<\/h2>\n