Trauma Care at Prisma Health - Upstate
We as a department are incredibly proud of our involvement in the care of trauma patients. On average, Prisma Health Upstate sees and treats 245 traumatically injured patients per month, 60-80 of whom are pediatric cases. Our goal is to train competent Emergency Physicians who can confidently care for all types of adult and pediatric trauma patients on day 1 after graduation, in all settings from the most isolated community or international ED to the urban Level 1 trauma center. The Emergency Medicine Resident is responsible for the airway in ALL patients who present to the ED as a Level I or II trauma, and is responsible for the complete care of all Level III trauma activations.
ATLS
All EM and surgical interns are credentialed in Advanced Trauma Life Support in June prior to the start of their clinical rotations. Several of the EM Attendings are certified ATLS instructors and are involved in trauma committees and QI throughout the system, allowing us to provide the highest quality care using the most up-to-date research and methods. ATLS courses are offered throughout the year, providing an opportunity for residents to re-certify prior to graduation.
Joint EM/Surgery Trauma Conference
The Department of Emergency Medicine hosts a monthly Joint EM/Surgery Trauma Conference with our surgical colleagues. This conference provides us with an opportunity to work alongside the Surgery Residents and Attendings to provide optimal care for patients who present to the ED after a traumatic injury. Two cases are presented each month in an M&M-style format describing the patient’s mechanism, course of hospitalization, and outcome. Each case is then followed by a brief lecture relating to the pathophysiology/disease process of the patient.
