Trauma

TraumaIn the UK, trauma is a leading cause of death with over 16,000 deaths due to injury in England and Wales each year. Injuries may occur through a variety of ways, for example; road traffic incidents, falls, sporting injuries and occupational hazards. Major trauma can also be caused by assault, burns, blasts, crushes and self inflicted injuries. Penetrating injuries, such as knife or gunshot wounds, account for only two per cent of major trauma.

Major trauma describes serious and often multiple injuries where there is a strong possibility of death or disability, and includes injuries to the head, neck, spine, chest, limbs, abdomen, pelvis and skin. Trauma is the leading cause of death among children and young adults aged 44 years and under, with approximately 15% of people sustaining major trauma.

A 2007 study of 795 major trauma patients carried out by the National Confidential Enquiry on Patient Outcomes and Death (NCEPOD) found that 75 per cent of major trauma patients were male, with a high concentration of those in the age range of 16-20 years of age. The study also found that Saturday night was the peak time for cases of major trauma arriving at emergency departments. Cold weather too can lead to an increase in trauma cases due to injuries from falls and trips in the snow and ice and road traffic accidents. Cold weather may also cause difficulties for people who have respiratory or heart conditions.

In addition to major trauma, many non-serious incidents occur each year. Minor injuries treated at emergency departments include:
  • Fractures
  • Minor head injuries
  • Minor joint injuries
  • Insect and animal bites
  • Poison
  • Wound infections
  • Minor burns and scalds
  • Minor eye injuries