How are trauma patients managed?
Trauma patients are categorized prior to arrival as “Level 1” or “Level 2” or “Level 3” with the first being the most critical. All level 2 and 3 patients are run by the EM2. The team leader for level 1 patients alternates each week between the EM3 and the trauma chief. Procedures are divided among the residents by the team leader. With this collegial structure, in addition to the fact that an EM resident is on the trauma team 11 months out of the year, the vast majority of procedures are performed by EM residents. Airway management is always the domain of emergency medicine.
