Paed Trauma Time Critical Guidelines

Question 1

What are the time critical VSS criteria for a child aged 0 - 3 months? (HR, RR, BP, SP02% and GCS)

Answer 1

• Heart rate <100 or >180.
• RR >60
• BP <50
• <90%
• GCS <15 or less than alert on AVPU

Question 2

What are the VSS criteria for a child aged 4 - 12 months? (HR, RR, BP, SP02, GCS )

Answer 2

• Heart rate <100 or >180.
• RR >50
• BP <60
• SP02 <90%
• GCS <15 or less than alert on AVPU

Question 3

What are the VSS criteria for a child aged 1 - 4 years? (HR, RR, BP, SP02, GCS)

Answer 3

-Heart rate <90 or >160.
-RR >40
-BP <70
-SP02 <90%
-GCS <15 or less than alert on AVPU

Question 4

What are the VSS criteria for a child aged 5 - 11 years? (HR, RR, BP, SP02, GCS)

Answer 4

Heart rate <80 or >140.
-RR >30
-BP <80
- SP02 <90%
- GCS <15 or less than alert on AVPU

Question 5

What are the VSS criteria for a child aged 12 - 15 years? HR, BP, SP02, GSC

Answer 5

Heart rate <60 or >130.
RR >30
BP <90
SP02 <90%
GCS <15 or less than alert on AVPU

Question 6

What are the penetrating injuries meeting potential major trauma criteria?

Answer 6

All penetrating injuries (except isolated superficial limb injuries) and serious blunt injuries.

Question 7

What are examples of serious blunt injuries?

Answer 7

1. Serious injury to a single body region where life, limb or long term quality of life may be at risk
2. significant injuries involving more than one body region.

Question 8

What specific injuries are considered for major trauma? (8)

Answer 8

1. Limb amputation
2. suspected spinal cord injury
3. burns >10% TBSA
4. major compound fracture or open dislocation
5. High voltage burns
6. Serious crush injury
7. Fracture to 2 or of femur/tibia/humerus
8. Fractured pelvis

Question 9

What is the transport protocol if the patient has specific injuries?

Answer 9

Transport to the highest level of trauma service within 60 minutes travel.

Question 10

What are the high risk criteria for major trauma? (7)

Answer 10

1. motor or cyclist impact >30kph
2. High speed MCA >60km
3. Pedestrian impact
4. ejection from vehicle
5. fall from height >3m
6. Struck on head by falling object >3m
7. Explosion

Question 11

What should be done if the patient does not meet high risk criteria?

Answer 11

Transport to the nearest appropriate emergency care facility.

Question 12

What should be done if the patient meets high risk criteria?

Answer 12

Transport to the closest trauma service capable of receiving paediatric patients.