Initial Trauma Evaluation
Learning Objectives
Describe the key elements of preparation required for effective pediatric trauma resuscitation, including team roles, equipment readiness, and disposition planning
Explain why airway acquisition and maintenance are the highest‑priority interventions in pediatric trauma care
Apply structured team roles and closed‑loop communication to improve safety and efficiency during trauma resuscitation
Perform a systematic primary and secondary survey in injured children and identify findings that require immediate intervention
Evaluate the role of checkpoints, parental presence, and selective imaging in reducing errors and minimizing harm during pediatric trauma evaluation
Author(s)
David Mooney, MD, MPH
Pediatric Surgeon, Department of Surgery | Boston Children's Hospital
Associate Professor of Surgery | Harvard Medical School
Traci Wolbrink, MD, MPH
Co-Director, OPENPediatrics; Co-Director, Center for Educational Excellence and Innovation; Program Director, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Fellowship; Senior Associate in Critical Care Medicine | Boston Children’s Hospital
Associate Professor of Anaesthesia | Harvard Medical School
Citation
Mooney D, Wolbrink TA. Initial Trauma Evaluation. 9/2012. Online Video. OPENPediatrics. https://learn.openpediatrics.org/learn/course/internal/view/elearning/3094/initial-trauma-evaluation.