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Structured trauma handover (ATMIST) — DIPIMC MCQ

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HardRetrieval and TransportStructured trauma handover (ATMIST)DIPIMCDipIMC

A paramedic pre-alerts the major trauma centre for a patient after high-speed ejection. The patient has worsening respiratory effort after needle decompression and will arrive in eight minutes. Which information set most enables the trauma team to prepare?

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Correct answer: B — An ATMIST summary with mechanism, injuries, signs, treatments and ETA

The best answer is “An ATMIST summary with mechanism, injuries, signs, treatments and ETA”. A trauma pre-alert must give the receiving team actionable information before arrival: age, timing, mechanism, suspected injuries, physiological signs, treatment already delivered, estimated arrival and relevant special requirements. This is the ATMIST structure used in UK trauma systems. A detailed past history can follow, but omitting deterioration, interventions or ETA prevents the team from preparing the correct people, equipment and blood products.

Reference: NHS Lothian, Hospital pre-alert and handover: https://www.rightdecisions.scot.nhs.uk/south-east-scotland-major-trauma-guidelines/hospital-pre-alert-handover/?topic=hospital-doctors