When should you initiate transport for a trauma patient?

Initiating transport for a trauma patient should occur immediately if the patient is critical. This choice is grounded in the principle that time is of the essence in trauma care. Critical patients often have life-threatening injuries that may deteriorate rapidly if not addressed swiftly. By transporting these patients to a higher level of care, such as a trauma center, life-saving interventions can be implemented more quickly than if the patient remains at the scene for further assessment or monitoring.

In a critical situation, delaying transport for the sake of additional assessment or to wait for support could result in significant harm to the patient. The key is to balance the need for immediate intervention with the understanding that stabilization can occur en route, especially when advanced care is closer than the scene. Thus, prioritizing transport for critically injured patients aligns with best practices in emergency medical services.