You'll Feel Reassured After Meeting These Trauma Experts

When hearing the words traumatic injury, first responders, like EMS, and emergency room specialists are the usually the first medical providers to come to mind. And while these experts are essential to the overall trauma care process, at GMC there’s actually an entire trauma team that works together to evaluate and care for patients with traumatic injuries.

In the event of a traumatic injury, the trauma team coordinates with a wide array of experienced specialists to ensure the most thorough and customized care possible.  Here’s a quick look at some of the experts you can expect to be a part of your trauma team:

Trauma Specialists:

Trauma surgeons receive specialized training to be able to effectively evaluate, diagnose, stabilize and manage trauma patients. As soon as a trauma patient arrives at the emergency room, the trauma surgeon is actively involved in the care process. Starting with an assessment of the patient, the trauma surgeon is able to identify the seriousness of injuries, order diagnostics and testing as needed and determine if other specialists are needed.

Trauma nurses receive specialized training to provide care that is timely and effective for trauma and patients. With a wide variety of traumatic injuries, trauma nurses must be prepared at all times to provide quick and skilled care to patients.

Specialty Physicians:

Orthopedic surgeons are physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of injuries, disorders and diseases that impact the body’s complete musculoskeletal system. This can include everything from the bones and joints to the ligaments and muscles throughout your entire body.

Neurosurgeons are physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of injuries, disorders and diseases that affect the central and peripheral nervous system. This doesn’t just include the brain and spinal cord; it also encompasses nerves and sensory organs throughout the body.

Maxillofacial surgeons are physicians who specialize in the treatment of injuries and diseases that impact the head, neck, face, jaws and other tissue of the mouth, jaws and face. Often times these surgeons will have dual training and qualification in both medicine and dentistry.

Anesthesiologists are physicians who specialize in providing anesthesia, or the use of medication to help relax the patient and prevent pain during surgery. These physicians will work to ensure your safety before, during and after surgery.

Diagnostic Experts:

Radiologists are physicians who specialize in diagnosing injuries and diseases using a wide variety of imaging technology. This can include x-rays, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and many others. An accurate and timely diagnosis of trauma injuries is vital to determining the best treatment option.

These physicians work with x-ray technicians, CT technicians and ultrasound technicians to utilize the latest in imaging technology and ensure that these images are as accurate as possible.

Care & Rehabilitation Experts:

Respiratory therapists are specially trained to provide care to patients who are having difficulty breathing. This may include diagnostic testing, effective treatments depending on the patient’s condition and continually monitoring the progress of treatment.

Physical therapists even after receiving thorough, emergency care immediately following a traumatic event, patients will likely work with a physical therapist to help manage recovery. This can be an important way to reduce pain, promote movement, restore healthy functioning and prevent long-term disability.

You can trust GMC when it comes to trauma.

In addition to the experts listed above, GMC’s trauma team collaborates with an extensive range of specialties to provide personalized care to each and every trauma patient. With a specially-trained trauma team, the latest equipment and technology and wide-ranging resources, GMC’s level II trauma center is always ready to effectively care for critically injured patients 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 

Make sure to join GMC's trauma team on Saturday, March 31 for hands-on tourniquet training. This important program puts life-saving information into your hands in the event of a traumatic injury. Stop by and learn how to stop the bleed and help save lives.