Trimodal Mortality Model For Trauma - NEET PG Surgery

Trauma deaths are described using a trimodal pattern. A trimodal distribution of trauma deaths describes three peaks of deaths following trauma: immediate, early, and late deaths. Let’s learn all the important details of this topic in the blog below.

We’ve covered all the important points for more productive NEET PG exam preparation. 

Trimodal Mortality Model For Trauma 

The table below describes the trimodal distribution of trauma deaths.

The trimodal pattern of death in trauma has three main components in it. 

1. Immediate death: Immediate death occurs within minutes of injury. A person is said to have an immediate death when he/she is declared dead at the scene or Dies shortly after arrival at the hospital. There could be many Causes of immediate death, like Irreversible brain injury and Hemorrhage from injuries of the Heart, Aorta, Liver, Lungs, and Pelvic fracture.
2. Early death: Early death generally occurs within hours of arrival at the hospital. The main causes of early death are Intracranial hemorrhage, Internal hemorrhage involving the respiratory system & abdominal organs, Multiple injuries leading to massive blood loss, Tension pneumothorax, and Cardiac tamponade.
3. Late death: Late death occurs days to weeks after injury. The main causes for late death are sepsis (the most common cause) and multiple organ failure.

Table Representation:

What is TIRAGE?

Triage, in simple words, is to sort. The official definition of Triage refers to categorizing patients on the basis of the severity of their injuries and by extension, the urgency and need for care. Triage is used in Disaster management. It is used during mass casualties, for example, in case of large-scale disasters. In such disasters, the number of patients surpasses the number of doctors.  Triaging involves prioritizing victims into categories based on Severity of injury, Likelihood of survival, and Urgency of care. The mnemonic SLUT can be used to remember the basis on which triaging. 

Surgery Related Articles:

MNEMONIC: SLUT

What are the Triage TAGS?

Victims involved in a mass casualty incident need to be categorized for better management and to be more efficient in times of crisis. These victims are categorized using triage tags into different categories. This division will help us fulfill their treatment needs. The following color codes are used to identify patient categorization:

1. Red Tag
   • Red is for the patients who require immediate attention. These are the most critical injury patients. 
   • These are given to patients with head injuries with a low GCS score. 
   • It is also given to patients with open or closed Injuries to the thorax or abdomen. These patients might have severe breathing abnormalities with major bleeding.
2. Yellow Tag
   • Yellow refers to the patients that can be attended in some time. 
   • They are considered to have less critical injuries. They can be attended after a prior Delayed time.
   • These patients require in-hospital treatment and imaging for the proper management of the wound/disease.
   • The injuries here are not immediately life-threatening.
3. Green Tag
   • These victims have minor injuries.
   • They can mobilize on their own, but they would probably require a doctor’s examination in an outpatient setting.
   • These individuals have no life or limb-threatening injuries.
   • These victims are commonly known as ambulatory patients. 
4. Black Tag
   • The black tag is for the dead or moribund patients.
   • These patients don't require any attention and are therefore attended to at the last of a management crisis.

Related PYQ

Match the following categories of triage AIIMS NOV 2018

1. A. 1-B;2C,F;3-A;4-D
2. B. 1-B;2C,F;3-A;E;4-D
3. C. 1-B;2C,F;3-A;4-D,E
4. D. 1-B, E;2-C;3-A;4-D,F

Ans: A

Sequence To Save The Life Of Patient 

In Trauma According to ATLS guidelines, we must provide management with ABCDE protocol (Airway Breathing Circulation Disability Exposure & Environment Control). It becomes very important that an Emergency doctor knows all the ACLS/ BLS latest guidelines for a patient in need.

In case this same emergency occurs on a large scale, like in a huge disaster, then we will initiate the Disaster Management triage followed by appropriate management.

We hope this blog helped you understand the Trimodal Mortality Model for Trauma better. Stay tuned to cover all the important topics for NEET PG exam preparation with our crisp and concise NEET PG Medicine Notes. Make sure to download the PrepLadder app to enhance your preparations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question:  What is the first step of disaster management?

Ans: Disaster Management Triaging

Question: What is the ABCDE protocol in trauma?

Answer:  Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability and Exposure & Environment Control

Question: What does the black tag mean in triaging?

Answer: Deceased victim

Question: What are the four colors of triaging?

Answer: Red, yellow, green and black

Also Read: High Yield Topics for Surgery

We hope this blog helped you understand the Trimodal Mortality Model for Trauma better. Stay tuned to cover all the important topics for NEET PG exam preparation with our crisp and concise NEET PG Medicine Notes. Make sure to download the PrepLadder app to enhance your preparations.