TraumaCon 2026 - Agenda

As personal electric vehicles (PEVs)—including e-scooters, e-bikes, and hoverboards—continue to surge in popularity worldwide, trauma centers are seeing a corresponding rise in injury patterns unique to these devices. Children are uniquely vulnerable to high-speed, high-power injuries. This dynamic workshop will explore international trends in PEV usage and the key injuries affecting children, such as orthopedic trauma, head injuries, and multisystem involvement. Participants will engage in collaborative discussions centered around real-world case studies, highlighting both clinical challenges and innovative responses. The session will also emphasize the critical role of nursing professionals in promoting prevention programs, advancing public education, and advocating for effective legislation to protect vulnerable populations. Through interactive dialogue and shared expertise, attendees will leave equipped to lead multidisciplinary efforts in reducing PEV-related pediatric trauma.

Penetrating trauma is a significant cause of global injury and death yet the worldwide incidence of it varies greatly. Understanding global variation in mechanisms of injury and management is crucial for improving outcomes and developing prevention strategies. This session will address the different types of penetrating injuries and the various treatment protocols around the globe. An international discussion on how penetrating injuries lead to substantial societal costs including disability, death, incarceration and the importance of injury prevention will also occur.

This session aims to address the inquiries and demands from trauma program staff. Each session will adopt a case-based learning approach featuring realistic scenarios. The session will incorporate the knowledge, hands-on experience, and insights from experts who have direct experience as surveyors and program leaders, along with practical advice for developing and maintaining a trauma PIPS program, which will be integrated throughout all components of this session.

Developed by the STN Leadership Development Committee, the Society of Trauma Nurses Leadership preconference is designed for trauma professionals who are interested in gaining knowledge in leadership principles and implementation of effective tools to change practice. The leadership preconference will be facilitated by experienced and knowledgeable leaders who have served in various roles within the trauma community. The leadership preconference is open to novice and experienced leaders who are seeking opportunities to effectively lead from the bedside to the boardroom and beyond.

More information coming soon!

Trauma care professionals often carry an invisible burden — the cumulative weight of secondary trauma, compassion fatigue, and the unspoken wounds that come from serving in high-stakes, high-stress environments. In Helping the Wounded Healer: Finding Peace and Resilience in Trauma Care, Troy L. Love, LCSW, introduces a trauma-informed, attachment-focused framework to help clinicians identify and address their own emotional wounds while strengthening their capacity to care for others. Participants will explore the Six Attachment Wounds, uncover the Shadows of Shame, and practice evidence-based resilience strategies they can use immediately in their work and personal lives. This session blends clinical insight with practical tools, helping attendees sustain compassion, authenticity, and well-being while continuing to deliver exceptional patient care.

Learning Objectives

• Identify the signs and symptoms of secondary trauma and its impact on personal well-being and professional performance.
• Apply the Six Attachment Wounds framework to recognize how personal histories can influence stress responses in trauma care.
• Implement at least three evidence-based resilience-building practices to reduce burnout and sustain compassion in clinical settings.

Advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Reality (VR) are reshaping how we train the next generation of healthcare providers. This session will immerse participants in the future of medical and nursing education by demonstrating how VR can bring basic rescue skills to life—empowering both professionals and communities to respond effectively in emergencies. Attendees will discover how AI-driven adaptive learning personalizes training, accelerates competency, and bridges gaps between theory and practice. The session will also explore innovative pathways for integrating these technologies into curricula, fostering interprofessional collaboration, and ensuring equity in access across diverse settings. Whether you are an educator, clinician, or policymaker, this presentation offers practical insights and inspiration for harnessing cutting-edge tools to prepare a resilient healthcare workforce.

Learning Objectives

• Demonstrate the transformative role of AI and Virtual Reality in enhancing competency-based training by showcasing how immersive simulation improves psychomotor skills, decision-making, and confidence in basic rescue skills for both healthcare providers and the general population.
• Analyze the evidence on educational outcomes and scalability of VR-based learning tools compared with traditional manikin or classroom methods, emphasizing knowledge retention, learner engagement, and adaptability across diverse healthcare and community settings.
• Explore future directions and integration strategies for AI-driven adaptive learning and VR platforms in medical and nursing curricula, highlighting opportunities for interprofessional education, equity in access, and preparedness for real-world emergencies.

"This case provides a comprehensive summary of a 3-year-old female who sustained life-threatening injuries after being struck by a motor vehicle. The case is particularly notable for the patient experiencing three separate traumatic arrests.

The review explores the extensive care she received across the continuum, and demonstrates best practice, evidence-based care throughout her treatment. Key aspects included:

• Excellence in prehospital care, featuring advanced airway management and blood administration.
• Intensive resuscitation by a multidisciplinary Level I trauma team.
• Interventions, such as an emergent tracheostomy.
• Massive hemorrhage protocol Utilization.
• ICU & Neurosurgical care.

The discussion underscores the severity of her injuries, which included a subdural hematoma, multiple facial fractures, and severe coagulopathy. Despite these challenges and multiple cardiac arrests, this ultimately describes her remarkable recovery. This case challenges the long-held doctrine of caring for children in traumatic arrest and sets an example of excellence at all levels.

Learning Objectives

• Discuss the literature on the pros and cons of intubation in the field.
• Explore the emerging data on pediatric pre-hospital blood product administration.
• Outline the statistics on pre-hospital pediatric traumatic arrest and in-hospital witnessed traumatic arrest.

More information coming soon!

In an increasingly interconnected and volatile world, the threat of mass casualty incidents involving Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and explosives (CBRNe) agents poses a significant challenge to global health systems. Despite growing awareness, many hospitals—particularly in low- and middle-income countries—lack the infrastructure, training, and coordinated protocols necessary to respond effectively to such complex emergencies. This plenary session addresses the urgent need to build global capacity by enhancing the knowledge and competencies of trauma nurses, who are often the first line of defense in crisis situations. By fostering international collaboration, standardizing best practices, and promoting psychological resilience among trauma care providers, this initiative aims to strengthen hospital preparedness worldwide, reduce disparities in emergency response, and ultimately save lives during CBRNe events.

Learning Objectives

• Gain knowledge of CBRNe agents and their clinical manifestations.
• Understand global disparities in hospital preparedness and avenues for collaboration.
• Engage with international experts to identify opportunities for research, policy change, and system strengthening.

Join us for an insightful and moving panel discussion where trauma survivors will share their personal stories, offering a unique perspective that extends far beyond the trauma center doors. This session will highlight the emotional, physical, and psychological challenges they faced from the moment of injury through their long-term recovery. These powerful narratives will provide trauma healthcare professionals with a deeper understanding of the patient experience while reinforcing the importance of comprehensive and compassionate care at every stage of healing. Hear firsthand how survivor resilience, healthcare support, and community resources come together to shape recovery outcomes and empower individuals on their path to reclaiming their lives after trauma.

Learning Objectives

• Recognize the long-term emotional, psychological, and physical challenges survivors face post-injury.
• Incorporate patient experiences into trauma care practices for better outcomes.
• Acknowledge the role of peer support and psychosocial interventions such as the Trauma Survivors Network in trauma recovery.

Falls are a growing public health problem. An estimated 684,000 fatal falls occur each year, making them the second leading cause of death from unintentional injuries, after road traffic accidents. Over 80% of fall-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, with the Western Pacific and Southeast Asia accounting for 60% of these deaths. In all regions of the world, mortality rates are highest among adults over 60, raising global awareness regarding this condition, which can lead to traumatic injuries that require prompt action to prevent a serious outcome. The presentation will include a discussion of this scenario in different countries and share how implement fall prevention actions and act to prevent traumatic injuries originating from this trauma mechanism.

Learning Objectives

• Describe different realities of falls and mortality in different countries.
• Discuss some fall prevention measures that are implemented in countries, both at the community and in-hospital level.
• Present preventive measures for falls within hospital institutions to avoid falls as an adverse event.

By far, geriatric falls are the most common patient presentation in trauma. The rapid growth of this population means that those who care for injured patients must understand the physiology, common injury patterns, treatments, and outcomes associated with the elderly. Frailty is a clinical syndrome of impaired physiology characterized by multiple comorbidities, decreased activity tolerance, and significantly reduced resilience. Frail geriatric patients are more likely to sustain significant injuries and are more likely to have undesirable discharge dispositions, including skilled nursing facilities, hospice, and death. To provide the best evidenced-based care, healthcare providers must recognize frailty and design care pathways that ameliorate its effects on geriatric patient outcomes. This presentation aids all healthcare providers in the treatment common geriatric injuries, identifying frailty, and improving clinical outcomes.

Learning Objectives

• Name three common injury patterns associated with geriatric falls.
• Discuss the effect of frailty on geriatric trauma patient outcomes.
• List two interventions that can improve the outcomes of frail geriatric trauma patients.

Clinical practice guidelines (CPG) that evolve during periods of armed conflict form the foundation for trauma system performance in the United States. These guidelines include management of traumatic brain injuries, resuscitation, burn care, hypothermia, fracture and many more. The CPGs set forth by the Joint Trauma System (JTS) during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom are now in place in civilian trauma centers. This presentation aims to show the impact of combat casualty care on civilian medical communities.

Learning Objectives

• Identify the various elements in trauma care that are influenced by combat casualty care.
• Discuss the impact of the military-civilian partnership in trauma care.
• Explain the impact of clinical practice guidelines on current battlefields and nations.

Wilderness medicine may seem an unfamiliar topic to some, but its practice encompasses multiple familiar specialties such as trauma care and acute medical nursing. It is generally characterized as occurring in remote and challenging environments that can pose unique situations of access, communications, rescue, and delayed treatment. However, it is also practiced during disaster responses and even in the heart of major cities when lightning strikes or when flooding occurs.

This presentation will review injury prevention and risk mitigation strategies, and initial management techniques, for emergencies particular to various settings. Incidents will include flooding, drowning, heat & cold-related emergencies, decompression and altitude sickness, falls, lightning injury, snake bites and predator attacks. Outdoor activities, and injuries, are increasing as the population rises. Investigation of improved access to definitive care is vital as is the need for professional and public education of environmental safety measures and injury prevention.

Learning Objectives

• Discuss the significance of Wilderness Medicine & Environmental Emergencies.
• Discuss risk prevention recommendations that can mitigate common environmental & wilderness emergencies.
• Discuss first responder and management recommendations for the environmental emergencies discussed.

Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a common complication in trauma patients, contributing to increased morbidity, mortality, and length of stay. Early bronchoalveolar lavage is crucial in ventilated trauma patients to distinguish early-onset, and pre-existing pneumonias from infections acquired later in the hospital stay.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on 273 medical records of trauma patients who were ventilated for three or more consecutive days. Demographics, injury severity score, mechanism of injury, intubation location, ICU and ventilator days, and location of injuries, and intubation location.

Results: Logistic regression demonstrated that each additional day of intubation increased the odds of developing VAP by 4.3% (p = .020). Patients with spinal injuries were 2.9 times more likely to develop VAP. Pre-hospital intubation was also associated with nearly three times higher odds of VAP (p = .074).

Conclusions: Early BAL distinguishing early pneumonia from VAP and helps identify risk factors to guide interventions.

Learning Objectives

• The learner will differentiate between true hospital-acquired VAP and early-onset/aspiration pneumonias in ventilated trauma patients based on clinical context and early BAL results to improve VAP surveillance accuracy.
• The learner will identify trauma patients at highest risk for early pneumonia to implement targeted, early surveillance, and preventative interventions.
• The learner will be able to analyze current data to identify quality improvement strategy incorporating the use of early BAL among trauma patients.

TIC Talk is a fast-paced, interactive, case-based presentation that focuses on identifying and managing a patient with trauma-induced coagulopathy, from field care to critical care, highlighting the vital role of trauma nurses. In addition to discussing TIC risk factors and pathophysiology, this session reviews key clinical decision points throughout the TIC patient’s care continuum. Topics include prehospital interventions, hemorrhage control measures, blood product administration, massive transfusion, pharmacologic adjuncts to bleeding, hypothermia management, and laboratory testing to detect TIC and guide reversal. The rationale and supporting research for each decision are discussed.

Learning Objectives

• Describe and contrast Mechanical Bleeding with Coagulopathic Bleeding in the trauma patient.
• Name three pharmacological adjuncts used to prevent or control trauma-induced coagulopathy.
• Explain the role of laboratory testing in the identification and management of TIC.

Violence is a public health crisis—one that hospitals are uniquely positioned to interrupt. This session will explore how trauma registries can be leveraged to design, implement, and sustain Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Programs (HVIPs). Presenters will walk through real-world examples of identifying patterns of intentional injury, engaging community partners, and building data-driven case management strategies. Participants will gain insight into how to use existing trauma data not just for reporting, but for driving proactive, equity-centered violence prevention initiatives. Whether you're just beginning or looking to expand an existing program, this session will provide practical tools to break the cycle of violence—starting from the hospital bed.

Learning Objectives

• Describe how trauma registry data can be utilized to identify trends in intentional injury and inform the design of Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Programs (HVIPs).
• Analyze key performance metrics within trauma registries to guide resource allocation, stakeholder engagement, and case management for violence prevention.
• Demonstrate how to transform trauma registry reporting into actionable insights that drive equitable, system-level interventions to reduce recurrent violence.

This session reveals the powerful journey and in-depth look of establishing and sustaining a hospital-based violence intervention program (HVIP) dedicated to transforming the care of violently injured patients. Beyond sharing measurable successes in reducing reinjury and improving patient stability, the presentation uncovers the complexities involved in launching the program amidst funding challenges, staff turnover, and emotional demands on employees. Attendees will gain insight into the program’s creation, the ongoing struggle to engage patients while managing resource constraints, and the resilience of the dedicated care team who navigate these barriers daily. As part of a vibrant regional and national HVIP network, the program continuously evolves through collaboration and shared learning. Trauma nurses and specialists will find practical strategies and inspiration to enhance trauma-informed care, support workforce well-being, and strengthen intervention impact within their own hospital settings.

Learning Objectives

• Describe the core components, goals, and multidisciplinary nature of HVIPs in trauma care settings.
• Identify common challenges in program implementation, including patient engagement, staff turnover, and funding limitations.
• Explain strategies to enhance collaboration and communication between medical staff and violence intervention specialists.

The Supporting Transition and Recovery in Trauma (START) team is a multidisciplinary transitional care team for victims of violence over the age of 30 years seen at an urban trauma center. Our trauma center sees a high volume of assaults and penetrating trauma each year, with many current community resources focused to teens and young adults. We currently have an established hospital-based violence intervention (HVIP) program for this age group, however, this left hundreds of patients over 30 years old without resources. To address this gap, a new multidisciplinary team was created to focus on health literacy and social determinants of health (SDoH) factors in our trauma population, and to support them with individualized resources that increase accessibility and success after discharge.

Learning Objectives

• Learners will be able to describe why social determinants of health impact their trauma patients.
• Learners will be able to determine priority social needs of their unique trauma population.
• Learners will be able to list three interventions or resources they can provide to address priority needs.

Engagement in research is a requirement of Level 1 trauma centers. Nurse scientists play a crucial role in coordinating patient-centered research endeavors and facilitating collaborations between trauma centers and academic teams. Data from trauma registries can be used to identify trends in trauma events within communities to inform nursing interventions that address unique patient needs and to maximize health outcomes. Nurses can access this information, but they may face challenges in applying it to research that leads to improved practices. This presentation focuses on the recruitment strategies employed by a multidisciplinary team from an R1 university and a Level 1 trauma center for an NIH-funded project aimed at reducing alcohol-related health disparities and treatment inequities, with an emphasis on the challenges and successes encountered. Also highlighted are the contributions of nurses from a trauma-prevention department and a nurse scientist to the application of trauma-informed care practices in implementing this project.

Learning Objectives

• By the end of the session, participants will be able to discuss how nurse scientists can be instrumental in facilitating research collaborations between level 1 trauma centers and university research teams.
• By the end of the session, participants will be able to state how trauma registry data can be used to identify participants for patient-centered research.
• By the end of the session, participants will be able to describe trauma-informed recruitment strategies for participants in federal-level research studies.

TBI patients often display agitation, impulsivity, and aggression during recovery especially outside the ICU posing safety risks and contributing to restraint use and staff burnout. In response, bedside nurses and a Clinical Nurse Specialist led a multidisciplinary team (trauma, neuropsychology, rehab, pharmacy, PT/OT, and nursing) to create a behavior management algorithm, medication reference chart, standardized order set, and a TBI behavioral screening tool, all integrated into the trauma protocol manual. A six-week pilot using the screening tool showed reduced behavioral incidents, earlier transfers to trauma floors, a 0.48-day reduction in hospital length of stay, and zero falls. Staff confidence improved significantly, with 98% reporting the tool enhanced de-escalation efforts. This nurse-led initiative improved patient and staff safety, communication, and consistency of care. The model offers practical, scalable strategies for managing complex TBI behaviors on step-down and general units and is a replicable example of innovation in trauma system care delivery.

Learning Objectives

• Identify common behavioral manifestations of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in non-ICU settings and their impact on patient and staff safety.
• Analyze the components of an evidence-based, multidisciplinary algorithm for managing agitation, aggression, and impulsivity in TBI patients.
• Evaluate strategies for improving provider confidence and interdisciplinary communication around medication use and behavioral management in TBI care.

This presentation focuses on the critical importance of preventing falls and injuries among trauma patients after hospital discharge. It will explore the unique risks patients face during the transition from hospital to home, particularly among elderly and vulnerable populations. Key topics include identifying risk factors, implementing effective discharge planning, educating patients and caregivers, and utilizing home safety interventions. Attendees will gain insights into evidence-based strategies that healthcare providers can use to minimize post-discharge falls, enhance patient safety, and improve recovery outcomes. This presentation aims to equip healthcare professionals with practical tools to reduce readmissions and support patients in maintaining their independence after discharge.

Learning Objectives

• Identify Key Risk Factors: Participants will be able to recognize the primary risk factors that contribute to falls and injuries after hospital discharge, with a focus on vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with mobility issues.
• Apply Evidence-Based Fall Prevention Strategies: Participants will learn how to implement proven, evidence-based interventions to prevent falls, including mobility aids, environmental modifications, and post-discharge care planning.
• Improve Patient and Caregiver Education: Attendees will understand the importance of educating both patients and caregivers on post-discharge safety, wound care, medication management, and mobility techniques to reduce the risk of falls at home.

Over- and under-triage rates significantly affect trauma centers in the United States and abroad. Under-triage contributes to increased morbidity and mortality, while over-triage strains systems through resource overutilization. Despite these impacts, guidance on trauma activation remains limited beyond the eight criteria outlined by the American College of Surgeons. This session will present one academic center’s four-year analysis of individual trauma activation criteria and the clinical decisions that were made based on this analysis.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the impact of over- and under-triage on trauma system performance, including implications for patient outcomes, resource utilization, and operational efficiency.
• Evaluate the limitations of current trauma activation criteria, particularly those outlined by the American College of Surgeons, and identify gaps in guidance for complex or borderline cases.
• Interpret findings from a four-year retrospective review of trauma activation decisions at an academic center to inform evidence-based improvements in triage protocols and activation practices.

Home Oxygen Therapy (HOT) fires are taking the US by storm. These fires are causing a fatality every 4 days. The HOT fire in a Massachusetts assisted living facility is the nation's worst HOT fire claiming the lives of 10 people. Learn how burn surgeons and firefighters are teaming up to deploy $4 worth of engineering to stop oxygen fires. Thermal fuse technology is already mandated in other countries. See the impact pre-hospital as HOT fires quickly overwhelm fire departments and require rescue of our surviving burn patients. You too can have a voice for a national mandate joining the over 50 organizations of the IAFC HOT working group.

Learning Objectives

• Learn about how thermal fuse technology stops secondary ignition in home fires.
• Learn about the growing rise in HOT fires within the US.
• Learn how data gaps are being addressed with the IAFC HOT dashboard.

Electric bicycles (e-bikes) are rapidly gaining popularity among youth, but this trend has been accompanied by a sharp rise in pediatric injuries. Emergency departments are reporting increasing cases of fractures, head trauma, and internal injuries linked to e-bike crashes—often with greater severity than traditional bicycle injuries. This session will review the latest evidence on the epidemiology and mechanisms of pediatric e-bike injuries, highlighting common patterns and risk factors. Clinical implications for acute management, trauma team activation, and long-term recovery will be discussed, along with opportunities for injury prevention, community education, and policy initiatives. Attendees will gain insights into how pediatric e-bike injuries differ from other wheeled-sport trauma and how these findings can inform both bedside care and broader public health strategies.

Learning Objectives

• Identify common mechanisms and injury patterns associated with pediatric e-bike crashes.
• Discuss clinical implications for the acute management and long-term outcomes of pediatric e-bike injuries.
• Evaluate opportunities for prevention through education, advocacy, and policy to reduce pediatric e-bike trauma.

Tourniquets (TQs) have a fascinating history—once discouraged by medical dogma, yet ultimately proven to save countless lives on the battlefield and beyond. From flawed early designs to modern evidence-based practice, TQs show how progress often requires challenging long-standing tradition. Today, tourniquet use has expanded far beyond professional responders, with civilians applying them more frequently than trained providers. While timely application can be lifesaving, studies reveal many civilian uses lack clear medical indication or are applied incorrectly—introducing risks such as nerve damage, tissue necrosis, and even preventable amputations. This reality places new responsibility on healthcare providers to recognize inappropriate applications and intervene to prevent harm. By exploring the history, science, and current challenges of TQ use, this session will equip attendees with the knowledge to maximize their benefits while minimizing complications—ensuring tourniquets remain a powerful, safe tool for both professionals and the public.

Learning Objectives

• Describe the historical evolution and evidence supporting tourniquet (TQ) use in both military and civilian trauma care.
• Differentiate between appropriate and inappropriate indications for TQ application, including potential complications of misuse.
• Demonstrate strategies for healthcare providers to evaluate, manage, and educate patients presenting with prehospital-applied TQs.

Hemorrhage control for exsangiunating bleeding is of the upmost importance. Understanding how quickly someone can die of this bleeding is key, but understanding how so many of these patients have potentially survivable injuries may hold the key to treatment options that will enable more lives to be saved. Learning from the military's experience (both recent and current) has provided key insights into the management of these conditions. Additionally, there are now treatment options for traumatic cardiac arrest that can enable return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in patients whose hearts stop beating due to blood loss. The lecture covers existing junctional and truncal tourniquets and current research published by international researchers in this developing area of care.

Learning Objectives

• Participants will be able to identify potentially preventable deaths from hemorrhage (type of bleeding, area of body injured).
• Participants will be able to describe commercially available products and improvised techniques to control bleeding.
• Participants will understand the use oftruncal tourniquets in traumatic cardiac arrest and employment protocols.

Traumatic amputation is a sudden and life-altering injury resulting from severe accidents, combat, or disasters. This presentation explores the complex causes behind these devastating injuries, ranging from high-impact trauma to uncontrolled infections. We will delve into current treatment options, including emergency care, surgical interventions, and advances in prosthetic technology. Beyond the physical impact, traumatic amputation challenges patients with psychological and social hurdles that require comprehensive, multidisciplinary support. Join us as we uncover the latest insights and innovations aimed at improving outcomes and quality of life for individuals facing this profound medical and personal challenge.

Learning Objectives

• List 2 evidence-based hemorrhage control and limb preservation techniques in the acute management of traumatic amputation patients.
• Identify 2 strategies in the early assessment and prioritization of care for the traumatic amputation patient.
• Differentiate between trauma care for the complete amputation versus the partial amputation.

Burn injuries are infrequent but high-acuity events that demand accurate assessment and prompt management. This session will cover how to estimate burn size and depth, determine when and how to initiate fluid resuscitation, and recognize patients who require transfer to a burn center. Participants will gain clear, practical guidance to improve confidence and effectiveness in the initial care of burn patients.

Learning Objectives

• Describe how to assess and classify burn depth.
• Explain initial fluid resuscitation rates and management for large burns across age groups.
• Identify burn injuries that require consultation with or transfer to a verified burn center.

The care and management of burn patients remain a significant challenge in community emergency departments. Unlike specialized burn centers, many emergency departments—including Level IV trauma centers—often lack immediate access to burn specialists, standardized treatment protocols, and ongoing educational resources. These gaps can result in delayed interventions, prolonged transfers, and increased risk of complications for patients. This case study presentation examines adult and pediatric burn patients managed at a Level IV trauma center, highlighting clinical presentation, interventions, outcomes, and key lessons learned.

Learning Objectives

• The learner will be able to state the process for obtaining the primary and secondary assessments of the burned patient.
• The learner will be able to state the emergency department’s initial management of the burned patient.
• The learner will be able to state three interventions in the care of the burned patient.

In today’s fast-paced and high-pressure environments, kindness is often overlooked as a leadership trait. However, research and experience show that compassionate leadership fosters trust, boosts morale, and drives sustainable performance. This session will explore what it truly means to lead with kindness—how empathy, active listening, and respect can transform teams. This presentation will discuss:

• The science behind kindness and its impact on workplace culture.
• Practical strategies for integrating kindness into daily leadership practices.
• How to balance compassion with accountability.
• Examples of leaders who inspire through kindness.
• Case Study Examples of situations where a more human-centered approach was taken in dealing with the situation.

Learning Objectives

• Define the concept of kindness in leadership and distinguish it from traditional leadership traits such as authority and control.
• Recognize the impact of kind leadership on employee engagement, team performance, and organizational culture, supported by current research and data.
• Apply practical strategies to integrate kindness into daily leadership interactions, decision-making, and conflict resolution.

Trauma is often seen as a lifelong burden, yet it is better understood as an injury—one that can heal with the right approaches. In this session, participants will explore how unresolved psychological trauma impacts patients, care teams, and healthcare systems. Drawing on his experience as an international trainer and trauma recovery expert, the speaker will outline practical strategies to recognize trauma’s hidden costs, reduce stigma, and support resilience in both patients and providers. Attendees will gain insights into the neuroscience of trauma, language and communication techniques that foster healing, and leadership practices that integrate trauma-informed care into clinical and program settings. This session is designed to empower trauma nurses, educators, and program leaders to expand their understanding of trauma, strengthen their practice, and ultimately improve outcomes for individuals and communities.

Learning Objectives

• Describe the impact of unresolved psychological trauma on patients, providers, and trauma systems, using current evidence and clinical examples.
• Apply trauma-informed communication strategies that reduce stigma and foster trust in patient interactions.
• Identify opportunities to integrate trauma recovery and resilience-building principles into trauma nursing practice, education, and program leadership.

Trauma nurses are uniquely positioned to respond to the psychological distress that accompanies complex injury. With trauma patients at an elevated risk for serious mental health challenges and four times more likely to attempt or due by suicide, therapeutic skills are vital to safeguarding their lives and well-being. This session empowers nurses with evidence-based strategies to identify and address acute stress disorder (ASD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and other stress-related mental health disorders. Participants will explore interventions such as unconditional positive regard, psychoeducation, and cognitive restructuring with aspects of trauma focused-cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT).

Attendees will gain access to mental health and substance use workbooks created specifically for trauma patients. These resources are designed to help patients identify psychological triggers, build coping skills, recognize supports, engage with practical tools and access local resources. By incorporating these tools into practice, trauma nurses can enhance recovery engagement and promote whole-person healing.

Learning Objectives

• Identify common mental health challenges in trauma patients, including acute stress disorder (ASD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression.
• Apply trauma-informed mental health interventions—such as unconditional positive regard, psychoeducation, and cognitive restructuring—to promote emotional safety and resilience.
• Utilize mental health and substance use workbooks created specifically for trauma patients as practical tools to reinforce coping strategies and support recovery.

Implementing low-titer O+ whole blood in a freestanding, moderate-sized children's hospital, not affiliated with an academic center, presented its own challenges. Multidisciplinary teamwork was essential for creating buy-in for implementation and ensuring sustained adherence. The whole blood pilot consisted of two patient cohorts: male trauma patients >10kg and Rh+ craniofacial patients. This pilot examined the use of whole blood combined with component therapy versus component therapy alone in pediatric patients with massive bleeding. Outcomes studied included the time to return to normal homeostatic fluid volume and clotting function, as well as the duration of mechanical ventilation. The pilot examined data, including hemoglobin and INR levels, combined with patient vital signs and condition, to determine the time it takes for patients to return to homeostatic fluid volume and clotting function after receiving whole blood. The pilot was successful and has expanded to include female trauma patients and additional surgery patient cohorts.

Learning Objectives

• The learner will demonstrate knowledge of the benefits of using whole blood in the pediatric population.
• The learner will have a greater understanding of working in multidisciplinary teams and gathering stakeholder buy-in.
• The learner will demonstrate an increased understanding of safety measures to minimize antibody production after non-crossmatched blood transfusion administration.

Whole blood is revolutionizing trauma resuscitation, but successful implementation means more than just a new protocol—it's a significant organizational change. While stories of success and struggle abound, this session will focus on how to effectively navigate the journey to both trauma center and prehospital program implementation. Trauma program leaders and clinicians will discover actionable change management principles to mitigate resistance, foster adoption, and build robust, life-saving whole blood programs.

Learning Objectives

• Describe barriers to whole blood program implementation.
• Articulate how a change management approach is an essential element for implementing successful whole blood programs.
• Understand different models of prehospital whole blood programs.

This performance improvement project addressed inconsistencies in identifying and managing patients requiring cervical spine precautions, which led to delays in immobilization, variable documentation, and patient safety risks during transport and imaging. A multidisciplinary team from the Quality, Trauma, Emergency, and Radiology departments developed and implemented a standardized process to improve compliance and patient outcomes. Updated protocols were aligned with evidence-based guidelines from the Advanced Trauma Care for Nurses (ATCN), NEXUS criteria, and Candian C-Spine Rule (CCR). Standardized steps were introduced in triage focusing on early screening, prompt application, and maintaining cervical alignment during transfers and imaging. The initiative reduced variability, streamlined care, and enhanced interdepartmental collaboration ultimately improving safety for at risk patients. This project increased compliance with c-spine precautions and documentation by 33% and aided in identifying 45% more c-spine related injuries in our trauma population.

Learning Objectives

• Explain the impact of inconsistent cervical spine precautions on patient safety and outcomes.
• Analyze barriers to effective c-spine management across triage, nursing, and radiology teams.
• Integrate evidence-based guidelines into a standardized workflow to improve interdisciplinary collaboration and reduce variability in immobilization practices.

The Morel-Lavallé lesion (MLL) is an uncommon closed degloving injury that often occurs with high-energy trauma. One of the challenges with diagnosing and treating a MLL injury is 33 % of cases present in a delayed manner. Knowledge of the MLL is key in preventing a delay in diagnosis and decreasing the risks of complications such as pseudocyst, skin necrosis, chronic pain, and infection. Since clinical suspicion is important, by utilizing case studies, this session will address the mechanism of injuries most often associated with MLL, the most common body locations where it is found, diagnosis clues, surgical and non-surgical management and complications. The importance of the role of an inter-disciplinary team in evaluating and managing these patients will also be addressed.

Learning Objectives

• Discuss the typical etiology of Morel-Lavelle lesions.
• Describe the common clinical and imaging findings in a patient with a Morel-Lavelle lesion.
• Discuss the surgical and non-surgical treatment options for patients with Morel-Lavelle lesions.

Multimodal pain management leverages synergistic pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic strategies to optimize analgesia, minimize opioid reliance, and address the complex pathophysiology of trauma-related pain. This approach is especially critical in trauma care, where pain is often acute, multifactorial, and complicated by comorbidities, psychosocial issues or procedural interventions. Learners will be able to design and justify a multimodal pain management plan for trauma patients that aligns with evidence-based guidelines, minimizes opioid exposure, and supports functional recovery.

Learning Objectives

• Describe the principles and components of multimodal pain management in trauma care, including pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic strategies that reduce opioid reliance and enhance patient outcomes.
• Identify common professional practice gaps—such as inconsistent pain assessment, limited use of regional techniques, and discharge planning deficiencies—that impact safe and effective pain control in trauma patients.
• Apply evidence-based approaches to pain assessment and opioid stewardship, integrating trauma-informed care and interdisciplinary collaboration to optimize analgesia across the continuum of trauma recovery.