EMS Chest Injury

Overview

4.4 out of 5 (8 Reviews)

Credits

1.50

Post Assessment Questions

8

Start Date

1 Sep 2023

Last Review Date

10 Jul 2024

Expiration Date

31 Aug 2026

Estimated Time To Finish

90 Minutes

Start This Activity
 
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Activity Description

Emergency medical services (EMS) providers frequently encounter patients with chest injuries, which account for approximately 25% of all trauma-related deaths, second only to head and neck injuries. These injuries result from penetrating (eg, gunshots, lacerations, and punctures) or blunt trauma (eg, motor vehicle accidents, falls, crush injuries, blasts, and burns) and require rapid intervention and stabilization. EMS protocols are designed to minimize the time between injury and medical care, adhering to the principles of advanced trauma life support (ATLS). Quick transport to a hospital is crucial due to the severity of potential chest trauma sequelae. Immediate interventions may be necessary, but minimizing on-scene time is prioritized, as superior patient outcomes are associated with invasive lifesaving procedures performed in-hospital rather than in the field.

Prehospital management is typically categorized as basic life support or ATLS, depending on the level of service provided. Core interventions include noninvasive airway management, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, defibrillation, hemorrhage control, spine immobilization, and splinting/stabilization of extremity fractures. Advanced techniques may include endotracheal intubation, medication administration, cardiac monitoring, and needle decompression. The availability and capabilities of transport services and destination hospitals vary across geographic settings, necessitating adaptations based on local resources and facilities. This activity reviews the critical role of EMS providers in managing chest injuries from penetrating trauma through injury recognition, stabilization, rapid intervention, and transport to a trauma center. This activity highlights EMS protocols that adhere to ATLS principles and emphasizes in-hospital invasive lifesaving procedures for improved patient outcomes.


Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, physician associates, nurses, pharmacists, and nurse practitioners.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Identify signs and symptoms indicative of chest injuries in trauma patients encountered by emergency medical services providers.

  • Implement advanced trauma life support protocols effectively, including airway management, hemorrhage control, and splinting/stabilizing of fractures.

  • Apply knowledge of local transport capabilities and trauma center resources to optimize patient outcomes.

  • Collaborate with interprofessional healthcare providers of emergency medical services to coordinate comprehensive care plans for trauma patients.

Disclosures

StatPearls, LLC requires everyone who influences the content of an educational activity to disclose relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. Ineligible companies are organizations whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. All relevant conflict(s) of interest have been mitigated. Hover over contributor names for financial disclosures. Others involved in planning this educational activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial Support: This activity has received NO commercial support.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

In support of improving patient care, StatPearls, LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

Nurses: StatPearls designates this activity for 1.50 ANCC contact hour(s). Nurses should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Please consult your professional licensing board for information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity.

Method of Participation and Credit

  1. Register for the activity.    
  2. Review the target audience, learning objectives, and disclosure information.
  3. Study the educational content of the enduring material.
  4. Choose the best answer to each activity test question. To receive credit and a certificate, you must pass the test questions with a minimum score of 100%.
  5. Complete the post-activity assessment survey.

If you have concerns regarding the CE/CME system, please contact support@statpearls.com.

Disclaimer

This educational activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Faculty may discuss investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration. Readers should verify all information before employing any therapies described in this educational activity.

The information provided for this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The information presented does not necessarily reflect the views of StatPearls or any commercial supporters of educational activities on statpearls.com. StatPearls expressly disclaims responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through a participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices: In accordance with FDA requirements, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices. Please refer to the FDA-approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information.

Cancellation Policy: Please see the cancellation policy. StatPearls, LLC reserves the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

 
 

Reviews

Josiah B. on 10/4/2023

Reuven S. on 10/19/2023

Pamela P. on 12/4/2023

Bradley S. on 2/27/2023

Brian G. on 5/20/2022

Pervaiz C. on 8/19/2023

Matthew K. on 8/3/2022

John-Paul M. on 3/21/2023

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