Trauma

The traumatized patient is at high risk during every phase of care before and during mechanical ventilation including the peri-intubation window and the immediate post-intubation period. The initiation of positive pressure ventilation can cause significant hemodynamic derangement in the hypovolemic and those with decompensating hemodynamics. Ventilation should be initiated using the lowest pressures able to achieve clinical evidence of adequate ventilation. Transport teams may encounter early or delayed presentations of pathology associated with trauma and may need to tailor care accordingly.