Accidents happen every day, and while many of them are minor, others can cause serious life-threatening injuries. Catastrophic injuries can occur as a result of car crashes, falls, fires, assaults and other severe incidents. These injuries can affect the major organs such as the brain and lungs as well as veins, arteries and bones. Patients often arrive at the hospital in an ambulance, and they require emergency operations to save their lives. In incidents such as these, patients may be vulnerable to organ failure, traumatic brain or head injuries, infection or hemorrhage.
When minutes and even seconds count, specially trained surgeons leap into action to protect life. They are often tasked with resuscitating patients, stabilizing them and determining the best course of treatment. These doctors triage patients and prioritize surgeries or other treatments to ensure the best possible outcomes. Patients with multiple injuries or organ damage may need complex surgeries or multiple surgeries. Blood work, organ function tests, radiology reports and medications all need to be evaluated and planned. Patients may also have non life-threatening injuries that must be addressed, and all of these jobs can fall on the surgeon’s sturdy shoulders.
Even after the initial or most severe traumatic injuries have been treated, the trauma surgeon's job is not done. He or she must monitor the patient and maintain a constant, high-level of care to reduce the risk of complications, such as infection, and keep critically ill patients alive.
These elite doctors usually work closely with a team of medical professionals, including nurses, medical assistants and anesthesiologists to provide patients with the care they need. Each member of the team has usually completed extensive training and has years of experience working in emergency rooms, surgical facilities and other similar medical fields. They work day and night and on weekends and holidays, and their fast action and dedicated care can prevent further damage or death. They deserve our respect for helping save our loved ones, and for most, a simple “Thank you” can go a long way towards helping them feel more appreciated.