A trauma team provides care for the most severe injuries. A trauma team includes specialists from trauma surgery and emergency medicine, usually incorporating both attending physicians and residents from both. The trauma team also includes Emergency Department nurses, respiratory therapists, patient care technicians, and radiology staff. The trauma team will do an assessment of the patient to evaluate for injuries. That includes taking vital signs, performing a head-to-toe assessment, asking the patient questions, getting x-rays, or other imaging as needed. “Trauma teams perform standardized assessments to ensure that we don’t miss injuries,” Dr. Martin-Gill says. “The full assessment and treatment happens in a very efficient and systematic way.” It’s important for the patient to cooperate with the trauma team throughout the process, Dr. Martin-Gill adds. That way, the team has a clear picture of potential injuries and can identify them quickly. “If you unfortunately find yourself as a patient in a trauma center, make sure you assist the team by answering all questions and participate in your assessment along the way,” he says.