Major trauma is any
injury that has the potential to cause prolonged
disability or
death. There are many causes of major trauma,
blunt and
penetrating, including
falls,
motor vehicle collisions, and
gunshot wounds. Depending on the severity of injury, quick management and transport to an appropriate medical facility (called a
trauma center) may be necessary to prevent loss of life or limb. The initial assessment involves a physical evaluation and can also include the use of imaging tools to accurately determine a type of injury and to formulate a course of treatment. Various classification scales exist for use with trauma to determine the severity of injuries, which is used to determine the resources used and for statistical collection. The initial assessment is critical in determining the extent of injuries and what will be needed to manage an injury, and treating immediate life threats.