Trauma

The complex care we provide includes, but is not limited to the following:

Abdominal injuries
Internal bleeding or damage to organs like the liver, spleen, or intestines

Chest injuries
Rib fractures, punctured lungs, or other significant thoracic (throat) trauma

Complex fractures
Multiple or severely broken bones, including open fractures (where bones are exposed)

Complex surgical emergencies
Cases that need immediate surgical intervention, such as those involving internal organ damage

Multi-system trauma
Cases involving multiple injuries affecting different areas of the body

Penetrating injuries
Gunshot wounds, stab wounds, or other injuries involving penetration of the body

Severe blunt-force trauma
Injuries from car accidents, falls, or industrial accidents

Severe burns
Extensive burns requiring specialized treatment and care

Severe hemorrhaging
Critical blood loss needing rapid control and blood transfusion

The trauma-care journey is made up of four parts: patient arrival, treatment, rehabilitation, and follow-up care.

Patient arrival
Supported by a network of first responders, patients are typically transported to the hospital (by AeroMed or an ambulance). While in transit, communication with the hospital begins so that our trauma team is prepared for patient arrival.

Treatment
Upon patient arrival, the focus of our team is to address life-threatening injuries, such as a brain injury or bleeding. We then identify all injuries sustained and initiate treatment by calling upon our multidisciplinary team.

Rehabilitation
In partnership with physical and occupational therapists and rehabilitation facilities across Michigan, we identify a team best suited to each patient’s needs. Some need in-home physical therapy, while others require longer treatment in an inpatient setting.

Follow-up care
Because post-traumatic needs can be complex, we develop a follow-up plan to meet each patient’s specific case. Whether follow-up is short- or long-term, we walk alongside patients through every step of the recovery process.

Depending on the type of trauma, several of the following specialists could be on the team.

Anesthesiologist
Gives general anesthesia and manages patients in the operating room so surgeons can safely perform surgery.

Burn-care specialist
Provides assessment and treatment of burns, including excision of burned skin and skin grafting.

Care manager
Works with patients and family throughout their stay, facilitating discharge and ensuring that home needs are met.

Emergency-medicine specialist
Assists with the initial evaluation and stabilization of critically-ill trauma patients.

Flight/EMS
Performs initial assessment, treatments and facilitates transport to the hospital, by air or road.

Geriatric-trauma specialist
Provides care for patients over the age of 65, including care coordination for safe and effective discharge.

Neurosurgeon
Manages injuries of the brain and skull and performs surgery when needed.

Nurse/Nurse tech
Works with patients around-the-clock to support recovery, navigate injuries, and facilitate a positive trajectory.

Orthopedic surgeon
Assesses and treats injuries associated with the bones with the goal of restoring form and function.

Palliative-care specialist
Ensures the comfort of patients; that care follows patient wishes, and helps with transition to hospice care, if needed.

Physical medicine and rehabilitation
Helps patients restore movement, with the goal of supporting normal activities of daily life.

Radiologist
Provides expert review of all imaging studies (X-rays, MRI, CT, etc.) so injuries can be appropriately classified and treated.

Spine surgeon
Assesses and treats injuries and disorders of the spine, performing surgery when needed.

Subspecialists
Subspecialists are available 24/7 to assess and treat any injury.

Surgical intensivist
Cares for critically-injured patients, managing transfusions, ventilators, and other interventions.

Trauma surgeon
Identifies and treats life-threatening injuries, and manages care during the patient's stay.