MVC

I am sitting in a car dealership having a headlight replaced. Being a fine piece of German engineering, the bulb will cost $209 plus labor. I have been told that the bumper assembly must be entered to replace this Xenon bulb. The car I drive is 10 years old. It is a squat, unsexy wagon. It's appeal is safety. "Bruno" weighs in at 4000 + pounds, is all wheel drive, has front and side airbags and has a manual transmission. Driving to and from the ER earlier this week during a blizzard, reinforced one of the reasons I drive this vehicle. The main purpose of owning 2 tons of car is to allow me to survive an MVC (motor vehicle collision).



My ER is a level 3 trauma center. Weather permitting, an MVC patient having life threatening injuries, may be sent to one of the level 1 trauma center 30 miles from my area by helicopter. Most occupants of a car crash are brought to the regional level 3 hospital. The patients arrive on a board with a cervical collar in place. ALS (advanced life support) is rarely needed for victims of motor vehicle trauma. New evidence has supported the concept of scoop and run versus the ALS, stay and play. Thankfully automotive design has made cars, trucks, and vans safer for their occupants in a MVC.



When a patient from an MVC arrives in the ER, the nurses, doctors, techs and PA's do a primary assessment. Vital signs, airway, breathing and cardiovascular are rapidly performed. Pertinent information as to the patients medications, allergies, past medical and surgical history and last food and drink ingestion. An examination of the patient from head to toes will guide the ER staff in determining what labs, radiographic and other diagnostic tests need to be necessary. FAST examination (an ultrasound of the abdomen) may be done quickly and without moving the patient. A trauma surgeon may be called in or the patient may be stabilized for urgent transport to a higher level trauma center.

The most seriously injured patients from an MVC are those that are ejected from the vehicle. The single most important tool for survival is to wear a seat and shoulder belt. The details of the accident such as speed, area of impact, and rollover may give clues as to the type of injuries that the patients will have. Prolonged extrication times are also important as internal injuries with ongoing blood loss must be addressed as soon as possible.

There are strong guidelines as to the type of seat and its position for protecting babies and children in motor vehicles. Parents must use the correct seat type for the age and weight of their child. Belts and straps must be applied as recommended by the device and car manufacturer.

Winter is here. Snow, ice, wind make driving a challenge. Take your time. Appropriate speed is determined by the weather and road conditions, not the speed limit. Wear your seat belt. Protect your children. Maintain your car with winter tires, lots of window washer fluid and proper air pressure in your tires. If there is a storm advisory, stay home. Don't drive unless you have to. Bruno, my trusty tank, will get me to the ER. I will be there with my coworkers, ready to care for the victims of MVC's