Life-saving care: Bremen's trauma center in focus!

Life-saving care: Bremen's trauma center in focus!

What happens when fate strikes mercilessly? People in Bremen are prepared for this. At the Bremen-Mitte Clinic, the only national trauma center in the entire state of Bremen, around 300 polytrauma patients receive the best possible medical care every year. The center, which has been certified since 2010, specializes in quickly helping people in life-threatening situations, be it after traffic accidents or falls.

Polytraumas, which often result from accidents, especially in older people, require immediate and, above all, precise first aid. Identification of dangers and transport to specialized clinics are crucial. “First treat what kills first” is the motto in the trauma room, where an interdisciplinary team is available around the clock. Ongoing training and regular training on procedures in the trauma room ensure that employees keep a cool head even in stressful situations.

The challenge of polytrauma

What exactly does polytrauma involve? Injuries can affect the head, chest, spine and internal organs. Often it doesn't just stop with a torn ligament; Serious head injuries or internal bleeding are often the sad consequence. There was recently a tragic incident in which 17-year-old Jan Zierow was hit by a train and is now on the mend after 12 operations. A 55-year-old man who fell on a fence pole was also successfully treated at the hospital, although he suffered extreme internal injuries without damaging any vital organs. Such dramatic scenarios are not uncommon - in Germany, over 30,000 people suffer life-threatening injuries every year.

In order to do justice to these patients, the structures and processes at the Bremen-Mitte Clinic are optimized to the highest level. The shock room is equipped with the latest technology, including ultrasound, ventilation and anesthesia machines. The standardized approach “Advanced Trauma Life Support,” or ATLS for short, ensures that all senior physicians at the trauma center are well trained. “There’s something going on” applies here in more than one way – when a seriously injured patient arrives, an alarm is triggered, which immediately calls the team to the emergency room.

Coordination in stressful situations

The task of the trauma leader, usually the senior physician in trauma surgery, is not only medical. He or she ensures the team has the necessary calm during the most hectic moments. The team is made up of nurses, anesthetists and surgeons, all of whom are highly qualified to help patients quickly and efficiently.

After acute care, the care is far from over. Patients are monitored in the intensive care unit and may receive further necessary operations. Not only is the acute medical emergency taken into account, but comprehensive follow-up care is also provided.

Ongoing quality assurance is another reason why the Bremen-Mitte Clinic is considered the fifth largest trauma center in Germany. Treatment data is reported to a registry, creating additional pressure to continually improve standards of care. This ensures that all processes, equipment and know-how are always up to date and that people in need are provided with the best possible care.

Given the complex and challenging situation in the treatment of polytrauma, the Bremen-Mitte Clinic is not only a place of hope for numerous patients, but also a prime example of interdisciplinary collaboration in emergency medicine. Bremen is thus making a valuable contribution to the care of seriously injured people. Anyone who suddenly finds themselves in such a critical situation can be sure that everything in Bremen will be done to save their lives.

Further information can be found on the website of Weser courier and des DIAKO Bremen.