II. Definitions
III. Approach: Trauma Informed Care
- Empowerment, Voice and Choice
- Information is provided in simple, relatable and understandable terms
- Patients have the autonomy to refuse certain procedures, or to take breaks during the assessment
- Peer Support
- Patient may be accompanied for support (e.g. family members, community health workers)
- Specific peer support specialists may be available for patient's needs (e.g. Domestic Violence survivor)
- Collaboration and Mutuality
- Patients as partners in their own care including the evaluation and treatment plan
- Safety
- Clinical team provides an emotionally and physically safe environment for the patient
- Avoiding retraumatization helps to keep patient calm and cooperative in a chaotic environment (e.g. ED)
- Reduce light intensity and sound intensity (e.g. decrease alarm frequency and loudness)
- Employ alternatives to restraints
- Trust and Transparency
- Keep patients informed with complete transparency, and with privacy maintained
- Consult with patients on exams and procedures that may cause retraumatization
- Cultural, Historical and Gender Issues
IV. Technique: History and Exam
- See Agitation Management (includes Verbal Deescalation)
- Perform evaluation in a private space (and as quiet as possible)
- Introduce yourself and maintain a welcoming, positive and nonjudgemental approach
- Identify how patient would like to be referred (e.g. name pronunciation)
- Use an Interpreter for non-english speaking patients
- Maintain adequate Analgesics
- Allow for questions and clarification throughout the evaluation
V. Evaluation
VI. References
- Mhonda and Fisher (2025) Crit Dec Emerg Med 39(3): 25-34
