SECONDARY SURVEY

SECONDARY SURVEY

All severely injured patients require a detailed top-to-toe exam ination after life-threatening injuries have been identified and managed during the primary survey . Patients may be intubated and unresponsiv e at this point, limiting the accuracy of clinical examination. Such patients should have a ‘tertiary survey’ when extubated and alert to identify any missed ‘minor’ inju ries, such as a scaphoid fracture in the wrist or a rotator cu ff tear in the shoulder. These injuries have the potential to cause significant long-term disability . It is essential that the findings of the primary , secondary and tertiary surveys are clearly recor ded in the patient’s case notes. SECONDARY SURVEY

All severely injured patients require a detailed top-to-toe exam ination after life-threatening injuries have been identified and managed during the primary survey . Patients may be intubated and unresponsiv e at this point, limiting the accuracy of clinical examination. Such patients should have a ‘tertiary survey’ when extubated and alert to identify any missed ‘minor’ inju ries, such as a scaphoid fracture in the wrist or a rotator cu ff tear in the shoulder. These injuries have the potential to cause significant long-term disability . It is essential that the findings of the primary , secondary and tertiary surveys are clearly recor ded in the patient’s case notes.