Major trauma guidance

The National Audit Office states that immediate treatment for major trauma, which comprises serious and multiple injuries that are often life threatening, accounts for up to £400,000 of health expenditure and up to £3.7 billion in lost economic output every year. There is also significant emotional impact on patients and their families during the trauma and rehabilitation phases.

And let’s not ignore how the management of major trauma cases can vary unacceptably.

So it is good news that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is publishing its long-awaited major trauma guidance, with five guidelines covering the management of fractures, complex fractures, major trauma, spinal injury and major trauma services.

Work to inform this important collated evidence started in 2012, but was devolved by NICE to the National Clinical Guidelines Centre to establish clear and consistent information across the five areas.

The evidence review commenced with a series of pertinent questions leading to a detailed search strategy prior to consultation. This resulted in an extensive range of responses from NHS trusts, universities, patient groups and other stakeholders.

The guidance is based on the most contemporary and best evidence available and will contribute significantly to our understanding of major trauma management.

To read the full guidance on the NICE website, go to Major trauma services