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Emergency Medical Technician
5-10 minutes

Evaluation of Pediatric Trauma (Initial and Follow-up Survey) Template

The Pediatric Trauma Assessment template by s10.ai is an all-encompassing resource crafted for EMTs and emergency medical professionals to perform detailed primary and secondary evaluations in pediatric trauma scenarios, following the protocols of the Royal Children's Hospital in Australia. This template facilitates the swift identification and management of life-threatening conditions, addressing essential areas such as airway, breathing, circulation, and neurological status. It also features comprehensive sections for pre-arrival preparation, radiology, and disposition planning. By integrating this template with s10.ai, clinicians can effectively document trauma assessments, ensuring all critical information is captured for superior patient care and seamless communication with the trauma team.

1,323 uses
4.1/5.0
D
Dr. Michael Harrington
Template Structure

Organized sections for comprehensive clinical documentation

Primary Assessment
The Primary Assessment is conducted to swiftly identify and address life-threatening conditions. Key priorities include:
- Severe Hemorrhage
- Airway (with cervical spine stabilization)
- Breathing
- Circulation
- Disability (Neurological Evaluation)
- Exposure / Environmental Control
Pre-Arrival Readiness
- Trauma Team Activation: [Specify if the trauma team was activated and the criteria used]
- Pre-Arrival Briefing: [Outline team preparation and role assignments prior to patient arrival]
- Medication & Equipment Readiness: [Verify weight-based drug dosages and equipment availability]
- Protective Measures: [Ensure personal protective equipment and radiation protection were employed]
Upon Arrival
- Handover: [Record key elements of the I-MIST-AMBO handover from paramedics]
- Parental Communication: [Note any additional history obtained from parents/caregivers]
- Family Support: [Describe any support provided to family members]
Airway and Cervical Spine
Life Threat: Airway Blockage
- Assessment: [Record airway patency, presence of obstructions such as blood, vomitus, or teeth, facial fractures, epistaxis, or signs of burns such as soot, singed nasal hair]
- Neck Examination: [Include an anterior neck assessment for blunt or penetrating trauma, tracheal deviation, or other airway threats]
- Airway Management: [Describe interventions used to maintain a patent airway, including positioning, suction, airway adjuncts, or intubation]
- Cervical Spine Management: [Confirm spinal precautions and method of stabilization applied]
Breathing
Life Threats: Tension Pneumothorax, Open Pneumothorax, Massive Hemothorax, Flail Chest
- Assessment: [Describe the work of breathing, chest expansion, respiratory effort, and any signs of injury]
- Examination: [Include findings from inspection, palpation, auscultation, and any bedside imaging such as chest X-ray]
- Management: [Document interventions such as oxygen administration, decompression techniques, or chest drain insertion]
Circulation
Life Threat: Hemorrhagic Shock
- Assessment: [Describe heart rate, capillary refill time, blood pressure, and skin perfusion]
- Sites of Bleeding: [Identify external and internal bleeding sources, including thoracic, abdominal, pelvic, and limb injuries]
- Interventions: [Detail fluid resuscitation, use of blood products, hemostatic agents, and surgical consultation]
Disability (Neurological Evaluation)
Life Threat: Traumatic Brain Injury
- Neurological Assessment: [Use AVPU or GCS scale to document mental status]
- Pupillary Exam: [Assess for pupil size, reactivity, and signs of neurological compromise]
- Motor Function: [Describe limb movements and any neurological deficits noted]
- Blood Glucose: [Record capillary blood glucose measurement]
- Neuroprotection Strategies: [List measures taken to prevent secondary brain injury]
Exposure and Environmental Control
- Full Body Inspection: [Describe any additional life-threatening injuries identified upon full exposure]
- Hypothermia Prevention: [Describe warming techniques and measures used to maintain normothermia]
Radiology and Imaging
- Imaging Ordered: [List initial imaging studies such as chest X-ray, pelvic X-ray, or CT scans]
- Findings: [Summarize significant imaging findings relevant to trauma assessment]
Secondary Assessment
The Secondary Assessment is conducted once the patient is stable, and all immediate life threats are addressed.
Preparation
- Communication and Reassurance: [Document patient interactions and parental involvement]
- Positioning and Comfort: [Specify any measures taken to improve patient comfort, including pain management]
Head and Face
- Inspection and Palpation: [Assess for scalp lacerations, skull fractures, facial trauma, Battle’s sign, or periorbital bruising]
- Eyes: [Describe any eye trauma, foreign bodies, visual impairment, or pupillary changes]
- Ears and Nose: [Check for bleeding, CSF leaks, septal hematomas, or tympanic membrane injuries]
- Mouth and Jaw: [Examine for oral trauma, dental injuries, or jaw malocclusion]
Neck
- Inspection: [Describe any neck bruising, tracheal deviation, or swelling]
- Palpation: [Assess for vertebral tenderness or subcutaneous emphysema]
Chest
- Inspection and Palpation: [Assess for seat belt injuries, paradoxical movement, or tenderness]
- Auscultation: [Record breath sounds, heart sounds, and any abnormal findings]
Abdomen
- Inspection and Palpation: [Look for bruising, distension, or tenderness over liver, spleen, or bladder]
- Genitourinary Examination: [Assess for signs of trauma, such as blood at the urethral meatus]
Pelvis
- Inspection and Palpation: [Assess for pelvic instability or tenderness]
Limbs
- Inspection and Palpation: [Check for fractures, soft tissue injuries, or neurovascular compromise]
- Range of Motion: [Describe any limitations in joint movement]
Back
- Log Roll Assessment: [Document findings from a log roll examination of the spine and buttocks]
- Spinal Palpation: [Assess for tenderness or deformities along the vertebral column]
Urinalysis
- Test Results: [Document findings from urine dipstick or formal urinalysis]
Disposition Planning
- Ongoing Management: [Specify additional investigations, procedures, or specialist referrals]
- Pain Management: [Document analgesia administered and patient response]
- Surgical Consideration: [Indicate if operative intervention is required]
- Definitive Care Plan: [Describe the plan for continued care, including inpatient admission, ICU transfer, or discharge home]
- Handover Details: [State the team responsible for patient care and any formal handover process]
(Never come up with your own patient details, assessment, plan, interventions, evaluation, and plan for continuing care - use only the transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note as a reference for the information included in your note. If any information related to a placeholder has not been explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, you must not state the information has not been explicitly mentioned in your output, just leave the relevant placeholder or omit the placeholder completely.)
(Use as many lines, paragraphs, or bullet points, depending on the format, as needed to capture all the relevant information from the transcript.)
Sample Clinical Note

Example of completed documentation using this template

Primary Survey
The Primary Survey is conducted to swiftly identify and address life-threatening conditions. Key priorities include:
- Catastrophic Hemorrhage
- Airway (with cervical spine control)
- Breathing
- Circulation
- Disability (Neurological Status)
- Exposure / Environment Control
Pre-Arrival Preparation
- Trauma Team Activation: The trauma team was mobilized based on the injury mechanism and the patient's unstable vital signs.
- Pre-Arrival Briefing: The team was informed about the patient's condition, roles were assigned, and equipment was prepared.
- Medication & Equipment Preparation: Weight-based drug doses were verified, and all necessary equipment was ready.
- Protective Measures: Personal protective equipment and radiation protection were employed.
On Arrival
- Handover: The I-MIST-AMBO handover from paramedics included the mechanism of injury, injuries sustained, signs, treatment given, allergies, medications, background, and other pertinent information.
- Parental Communication: Additional history was gathered from the parents, including the child's medical history and allergies.
- Support for Family: Emotional support was provided to the family, and they were kept informed of the child's condition.
Airway and Cervical Spine
Life Threat: Airway Obstruction
- Assessment: Airway was clear with no obstructions noted. No facial fractures or signs of burns were present.
- Neck Examination: No tracheal deviation or other airway threats were identified.
- Airway Management: The airway was maintained with positioning and suction.
- Cervical Spine Management: Spinal precautions were confirmed with a cervical collar applied.
Breathing
Life Threats: Tension Pneumothorax, Open Pneumothorax, Massive Hemothorax, Flail Chest
- Assessment: The patient showed increased work of breathing and decreased chest expansion on the right side.
- Examination: Decreased breath sounds on the right side were noted on auscultation.
- Management: Oxygen was administered, and a chest drain was inserted on the right side.
Circulation
Life Threat: Hemorrhagic Shock
- Assessment: Heart rate was elevated, capillary refill time was prolonged, and blood pressure was low.
- Sites of Bleeding: No external bleeding was noted; internal bleeding suspected in the abdomen.
- Interventions: Fluid resuscitation was initiated, and blood products were prepared for transfusion.
Disability (Neurological Status)
Life Threat: Traumatic Brain Injury
- Neurological Assessment: GCS score was 13, indicating mild head injury.
- Pupillary Exam: Pupils were equal and reactive to light.
- Motor Function: Limb movements were symmetrical with no deficits.
- Blood Glucose: Capillary blood glucose was within normal range.
- Neuroprotection Strategies: Head elevation and normothermia were maintained.
Exposure and Environmental Control
- Full Body Inspection: No additional life-threatening injuries were identified.
- Hypothermia Prevention: Warm blankets and a warming device were used to maintain normothermia.
Radiology and Imaging
- Imaging Ordered: Chest X-ray and abdominal CT scan were ordered.
- Findings: Chest X-ray showed right-sided pneumothorax; abdominal CT scan was pending.
Secondary Survey
The Secondary Survey is conducted once the patient is stable, and all immediate life threats are addressed.
Preparation
- Communication and Reassurance: The patient was reassured, and parents were involved in the care process.
- Positioning and Comfort: Pain management was provided with analgesics.
Head and Face
- Inspection and Palpation: No scalp lacerations or skull fractures were noted.
- Eyes: No eye trauma or visual impairment was observed.
- Ears and Nose: No bleeding or CSF leaks were present.
- Mouth and Jaw: No oral trauma or dental injuries were found.
Neck
- Inspection: No neck bruising or tracheal deviation was observed.
- Palpation: No vertebral tenderness was noted.
Chest
- Inspection and Palpation: No seat belt injuries or paradoxical movement were observed.
- Auscultation: Breath sounds were decreased on the right side.
Abdomen
- Inspection and Palpation: No bruising or distension was noted; tenderness was present over the right upper quadrant.
- Genitourinary Examination: No signs of trauma were observed.
Pelvis
- Inspection and Palpation: No pelvic instability or tenderness was noted.
Limbs
- Inspection and Palpation: No fractures or soft tissue injuries were observed.
- Range of Motion: Full range of motion was present in all joints.
Back
- Log Roll Assessment: No tenderness or deformities were noted along the vertebral column.
- Spinal Palpation: No abnormalities were detected.
Urinalysis
- Test Results: Urine dipstick was negative for blood.
Disposition Planning
- Ongoing Management: Abdominal CT scan results pending; surgical consultation requested.
- Pain Management: Analgesia was administered with good patient response.
- Surgical Consideration: Possible surgical intervention pending CT results.
- Definitive Care Plan: Plan for ICU transfer for close monitoring.
- Handover Details: The ICU team was briefed, and a formal handover was completed.
Clinical Benefits

Key advantages of using this template in clinical practice

  • The Primary Survey clinical template is an essential tool for healthcare professionals to swiftly identify and address life-threatening conditions in trauma patients. This comprehensive template guides clinicians through critical priorities such as managing catastrophic hemorrhage, ensuring airway patency with cervical spine control, assessing breathing and circulation, evaluating neurological status, and controlling environmental exposure. With detailed sections on pre-arrival preparation, including trauma team activation and equipment readiness, and on-arrival protocols like I-MIST-AMBO handover documentation, this template ensures thorough and efficient patient assessment. It also covers airway management, breathing interventions, circulation stabilization, and neurological assessments, providing a structured approach to trauma care. By adopting this template, clinicians can enhance their trauma response efficiency, improve patient outcomes, and ensure adherence to best practices in emergency medicine. Explore and implement this template to streamline your trauma assessment process and elevate the standard of care in your clinical setting.
Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this template and its usage

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