The objectives of this paper are: a) to present an overview of principles to provide optimum care to the injured; and b) to highlight some of the pitfalls in management of the injured. In real terms the care of an injured patient begins at the site of the accident. What happens in the emergency room is an extension of what should have been done at the time of injury. The ABC of resuscitation if started earlier in the pre-hospital phase is to be continued and if not started then to be started promptly. Once a patient reaches the hospital it is not always that the patient is in safe hands. Several factors determine the outcome. These would include variation in the Institution, the Individuals, the Instruments, the Interventions and Innovations undertaken. (A)
Samenvatting