(1) The use of many adult methods of triage will over triage children |
(2) A modification to adult scoring systems is preferable to an entirely different score |
(3) There are only a few parameters suitable for use in the major incident triage of children |
(4) Over triage of children may compromise the care given to adult patients by directing slightly injured children to high priority care areas |
(5) In incidents involving small numbers of children, the relative over triage of children by many adult trauma scores is beneficial |
(6) When a large number of children need to be triaged the Eichelberger modification to the triage revised trauma score34appears to be the best method available at present35
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(7) There is a necessity for a common triage methodology to be used between all prehospital care services |
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Treatment
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(1) Children should be assessed and resuscitated by teams with the skills and experience necessary for the treatment of trauma in children |
(2) Surgery in children should be performed by surgeons familiar with the management of trauma in children |
(3) Appropriately stocked resuscitation areas for children should be available for children although there is no need for these areas to be entirely separate from adult resuscitation areas |
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Transport
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(1) Where well equipped paediatric emergency departments exist with full back up facilities it maybe advisable to transport injured children directly to these facilities as long as prehospital transport times would not be unduly prolonged |
(2) Paediatric major incidents are likely to result in the need for secondary transfers from receiving hospitals to tertiary facilities |
(3) Transfers should be conducted by staff proficient in the care of ill or injured children |