Reaching Out. New Trauma Program Manager here.

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hello all. I recently became the new Trauma Program Manager here at my facility (Level 2). I am looking for some help in ideas to improve our Trauma Program and PI process. Our previous Trauma PM vacated the position before I came on board, so needless to say I did not get an orientation or even any direction once I took this role. I spoke recently with the Trauma Medical Director and his only words to me were, "You don't have time to get your feet wet, I need you to hit the ground running."

My background has been entirely ED bedside nursing, so this role is completely new to me. I would love to be able to share ideas and benchmark with others in an effort to improve patient care and facility processes.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Oh my, that is a tall order! Some resources you need to know like yesterday: the ACS's "Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient," AKA the Orange Book, which you can download here: Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient 2

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Thank you for your reply. I know that this is a very tall order and I hate that I am walking into this position blindly. We are ACS verified. We actually just had our revivification visit a few months ago. We are currently awaiting official notification from the ACS. We do have monthly PIPS meetings, but that was one thing that the ACS said was a weakness. We do not have a PI nurse, and my Director doesn't believe that my facility will get one, so this will most likely be a responsibility of mine. I am looking forward to this venture, but currently am a deer in the headlights.

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Have you networked with other program managers in your area? Do you have a citywide Trauma Program Coordinator?

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Thank you for your reply. I know that this is a very tall order and I hate that I am walking into this position blindly. We are ACS verified. We actually just had our revivification visit a few months ago. We are currently awaiting official notification from the ACS. We do have monthly PIPS meetings, but that was one thing that the ACS said was a weakness. We do not have a PI nurse, and my Director doesn't believe that my facility will get one, so this will most likely be a responsibility of mine. I am looking forward to this venture, but currently am a deer in the headlights.

The good news is that you were just reverified! That gives you some breathing room. It is kind of crazy for a Level 2 program to not have a PI nurse, that is a lot for you to take on with the responsibilities of a TPM. Do you at least have a capable registrar? Sometimes the registry folks who have a clinical background are at least able to flag PI issues for review, sometimes finding those issues is half the battle.

The American Trauma Society (ATS) has great courses, you need to get to the TPM course as fast as possible. There is info here: Professional Development for the Trauma Program Manager - American Trauma Society - convince your employer that your attendance at one is not negotiable. If you read the orange book and take that course, you'll have a pretty good idea of what you need to do.

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I have not networked with anyone at this point. I am however attempting to set up a meeting with a Trauma Program Manager from a level 1 center a few hours away from my location.

The previous TPM and TMD have been trying to get a PI nurse into the facility for awhile now without any success. I do have 1 registrar who has been here for awhile and has been my go to for questions lately. I believe once I have a good understanding of the process I can make it my own. I just want to do right by my facility and community.

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