2025: Crisis Management Days Conference Proceedings
International and EU security, Public health aspects of crises and local community preparedness, Crisis situation analyses and learned lessons

Trauma Care in Emergency Situations: Organisation of Medical Response and Local Community Resilience

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  • Tomislav Matejić,
  • Snježana Kaštelan,
  • Ivana Lovrić,
  • Uršula Kaštelan Brumen,
  • Anja Car
Tomislav Matejić
Surgery Clinic, Clinical Hospital Sveti Duh, Zagreb, Croatia
Snježana Kaštelan
University of Applied Sciences Velika Gorica
Ivana Lovrić
Health Center Zagreb East, Zagreb, Croatia
Uršula Kaštelan Brumen
University of Zagreb, Faculty of Economics & Business, Zagreb, Croatia
Anja Car
School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia

Published 2025-12-04

Keywords

  • mass casualty incidents,
  • crisis management,
  • medical logistics,
  • triage systems,
  • healthcare system resilience

How to Cite

Matejić, T., Kaštelan, S., Lovrić, I., Kaštelan Brumen, U., & Car, A. (2025). Trauma Care in Emergency Situations: Organisation of Medical Response and Local Community Resilience. Crisis Management Days. Retrieved from https://ocs.vvg.hr/index.php/DKU/article/view/781

Copyright (c) 2025 Tomislav Matejić, Snježana Kaštelan, Ivana Lovrić, Uršula Kaštelan Brumen, Anja Car

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Abstract

Emergencies such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, and mass trauma events demand a rapid, coordinated medical response to minimise morbidity and mortality. Effective trauma care hinges on structured protocols, accurate triage, resource optimisation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Triage systems, including the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) protocol and Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment (START), prioritise patients based on injury severity, ensuring timely intervention. Haemorrhage control with tourniquets and haemostatic dressings is critical for survival. Immediate access to diagnostic imaging, point-of-care testing and early blood transfusions enhances outcomes. Hospital emergency plans must account for surge capacity, patient diversion, and intensive care unit preparedness. Trauma centres should implement damage control strategies, including resuscitative thoracotomy and early goal-directed therapy. The integration of telemedicine allows specialists to provide real-time guidance, improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment efficiency. Artificial intelligence (AI) and digital health tools enhance emergency response by optimising triage, predicting patient deterioration, and streamlining workflows. Cloud-based electronic health records and geographic information systems enable the real-time sharing of data and the rapid deployment of medical teams. Lessons from past crises highlight the need for systematic training, simulation exercises, and multi-agency collaboration. Disaster medicine courses equip healthcare providers with essential trauma management skills, and regular disaster drills enhance the resilience and preparedness of the healthcare system. Sustainable emergency care requires adaptable response models, continuous resource monitoring, and refinement of strategies based on evidence-based practices. Investment in healthcare infrastructure, including trauma centres, mobile field hospitals, and helicopter emergency medical services, is crucial for managing large-scale emergencies. In conclusion, timely emergency trauma care depends on well-coordinated medical responses, advanced technologies, and continuous training. Strengthening local community resilience through systematic preparedness is essential for mitigating the impact of future crises and safeguarding public health.

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