2024 Trauma University: A Severe Pediatric Crush Injury with Limb Salvage-Handout: A Severe Pediatric Crush Injury with Limb Salvage

Handout: A Severe Pediatric Crush Injury with Limb Salvage

Pdf Summary

The Alaska Rural Case Review from May 2024 focused on a traumatic incident involving a 3-year-old girl from Elim, AK, who got her hand caught in a meat grinder while grinding caribou meat with her mother. The presentation highlighted the complex trauma system in Alaska and the multidisciplinary approach used for timely patient treatment, specifically addressing subsistence agriculture-related injuries. Due to the severe weather conditions, transferring the patient to a hospital in Anchorage faced significant challenges, including multiple failed attempts by various emergency services. The medical team in Anchorage performed a series of surgeries to salvage the girl's mangled extremity, involving nerve repairs, open fractures treatment, and wound closures. After an extensive care plan, the patient was discharged to patient housing for further recovery on 2/28. The case emphasized the importance of trauma systems in addressing traumatic injuries in rural areas, the need for effective communication and resources for patient transfer, and the significance of individualized care plans for optimal patient outcomes and community reintegration.

Keywords

Alaska Rural Case Review

traumatic incident

3-year-old girl

Elim, AK

meat grinder accident

subsistence agriculture

trauma system

multidisciplinary approach

patient transfer challenges

individualized care plans