Since ATVs are typically not driven with helmets when
operated by children, 10 it is important to note that considerably
more subspecialties are required when head
injury also accompanies spinal cord injury. Therefore,
a notable concern is the 11-year-old who presented in
our case study was not wearing a helmet, which possibly
contributed significantly to her overall injuries. Studies indicate
that although youth are more likely than adults to
be wearing a helmet when involved in an ATV accident,
only one-fourth of children were actually helmeted in
a recent study. 8 Thus, it is also important that measures
are taken to prevent injury associated with ATV accidents
by teaching helmet safety and supporting policies that
target helmet laws. These strategies are the responsibility
of all health care providers and further outlines how
multiple disciplines can work together to improve health
outcomes.
The use of care conferences assisted in streamlining
the delivery of care. The members of the multidisciplinary
care team met to discuss the patient’s clinical status;
thus, a more concise care plan was developed in an efficient
manner. 11 Team members contributed information
regarding their particular specialty that was pertinent in
developing the most optimal plan of care for the patient.
In our case report, a well-functioning multidisciplinary
team successfully managed a patient who suffered severe
spinal cord trauma and nurses had key roles on the multidisciplinary
team. This multidisciplinary team approach
began when the patient first arrived in the ED. The plan
of care and recommendations from each discipline were
coordinated by trauma APNs. The trauma APNs played an
integral role in maintaining the continuity of the plan of
care. By serving as the information hub for the patient’s
plan of care, the trauma APNs were able to streamline
the patient’s care by keeping the various disciplines and
subspecialties as well as the patient’s family informed of
the patient’s global plan of care and clinical status.