Keywords

Communication, patient care team, trauma team, trauma resuscitation

Abstract

Trauma teams nationwide are tasked with stabilizing and treating severely injured patients. Their work is unpredictable and must be carried out quickly to improve patient outcomes. Effective team communication is imperative. Team members communicating to form shared understanding of patient status and care goals supports high-level team function. Clear communication is essential. Team members should use closed-loop communication when appropriate, use brief and direct statements, and limit noise in trauma rooms. Team leaders support trauma team performance by providing updates on patient status and plans of care and fostering a culture of collaboration between team leaders and team members. Team briefing and role identification, including that of one team leader, performed before patient arrival, allows trauma teams to participate in trauma activations with clear purpose and direction from the beginning.