Trauma Care
Rapid, specialist-led care for fractures, dislocations, soft tissue injuries, spinal trauma, and complex musculoskeletal injuries — from emergency assessment and surgery through to full functional recovery.
About Department
The Trauma Care Unit at PB Health, operating under the Orthopaedics & Musculoskeletal Surgery department, is a dedicated high-acuity unit for the rapid assessment, stabilisation, and treatment of traumatic injuries. The unit is equipped to manage the full range of orthopaedic trauma from isolated fractures and dislocations to complex polytrauma involving multiple skeletal regions and soft tissue systems.
Core Trauma Care Capabilities
- 24/7 trauma assessment with dedicated resuscitation and stabilisation bays
- Rapid trauma team activation for high-energy and multi-region injuries
- Advanced monitoring for haemodynamic instability, shock, and neurological status
- Point-of-care testing — blood gas, lactate, coagulation profile, and urgent blood work
- FAST (Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma) for rapid internal bleeding detection
- Massive transfusion protocol (MTP) activation for severe haemorrhage
- Emergency orthopaedic surgery — fracture fixation, joint stabilisation, and damage control orthopaedics (DCO)
- Integrated trauma pathways with neurosurgery, general surgery, ICU, vascular surgery, and radiology
- Post-trauma rehabilitation coordination with physiotherapy and occupational therapy
Integrated Trauma Care Model
Trauma management at PB Health follows a structured multidisciplinary model. The orthopaedic trauma team leads assessment and management of skeletal and soft tissue injuries, working in real-time coordination with emergency physicians, anaesthetists, intensivists, radiologists, and nursing teams from the point of arrival.
For injuries requiring input beyond orthopaedics including head injuries, spinal cord involvement, vascular injury, or abdominal trauma specialist teams are activated through defined escalation pathways. Each patient follows a structured care trajectory from arrival and resuscitation through stabilisation, surgery (where indicated), ICU or ward recovery, and rehabilitation.
Clinical Focus Areas
What To Expect In The Trauma Care Unit
- Immediate clinical assessment on arrival: Airway, breathing, circulation, and injury severity is evaluated using structured trauma protocols (ATLS framework).
- Triage-based prioritisation: Life-threatening and limb-threatening injuries are addressed first, simultaneously where possible.
- Bedside investigations: FAST ultrasound, portable X-ray, point-of-care blood tests, and urgent CT imaging where indicated.
- Rapid haemorrhage control and resuscitation: Including blood product administration, fracture splinting, and haemodynamic stabilisation.
- Emergency orthopaedic intervention: Fracture reduction, provisional or definitive fixation, or damage control surgery based on patient physiology and injury pattern.
- Regular family communication: Updates on clinical status, planned interventions, and expected timeline.
- Seamless transfer to the operating theatre, ICU, or specialist teams when required: with full clinical handover.
Trauma Services & Procedures
Emergency Trauma Assessment
Primary and secondary survey using ATLS-based trauma protocols, including full injury documentation and priority-based intervention planning.
Damage Control Resuscitation
Early administration of blood products, tranexamic acid, haemorrhage control measures, and reversal of acute traumatic coagulopathy.
Airway & Breathing Support
Emergency airway management, endotracheal intubation, needle decompression, and chest drain insertion for tension pneumothorax or haemothorax.
Haemorrhage Control
Wound packing, tourniquets, pelvic binders, fracture splinting, vascular compression, and operative haemorrhage control.
Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery
External fixation (damage control), open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), intramedullary nailing, arthroplasty for periarticular fractures, and fasciotomy for compartment syndrome.
Spinal Trauma Management
Emergency spinal immobilisation, neurological assessment, imaging-guided classification, surgical decompression, and instrumented fixation where indicated.
Soft Tissue & Wound Management
Debridement of contaminated wounds, open fracture management, wound closure or coverage planning, and coordination with plastic surgery for complex reconstruction.
ICU Transition & Rehabilitation Planning
Structured clinical handover to critical care and early rehabilitation referral to physiotherapy for functional recovery planning.
The PB Health Advantage in Trauma Care
- 24/7 availability: Round-the-clock trauma response with ready resuscitation bays, operating rooms, and ICU support.
- Specialist-led care: Orthopaedic trauma surgeons and emergency physicians lead every case, with specialist escalation available at all times.
- Injury-specific treatment: Management protocols tailored to injury mechanism, fracture pattern, patient physiology, and functional recovery goals.
- Family communication: Clear, regular updates to family members during and after emergency care with honest, compassionate communication throughout.
- Technology-supported decisions: FAST ultrasound, rapid CT imaging, fluoroscopy in theatre, and continuous haemodynamic monitoring for accurate, timely clinical decisions.
- Evidence-based protocols: ATLS-based trauma assessment, damage control orthopaedics principles, and infection control standards throughout the care pathway.
- Truly collaborative care: Orthopaedic surgeons, emergency physicians, anaesthetists, intensivists, neurosurgeons, vascular surgeons, and rehabilitation teams coordinate for seamless outcomes.
Need Emergency Trauma Care?
Every minute matters after a serious injury. Our orthopaedic trauma team is available 24/7 for immediate assessment, fracture stabilisation, emergency surgery, and the start of your recovery.
