Il paziente poli-traumatizzato: aspetti medico-legali

Abstract

Trauma care is a higher medico-legal risk. In the United States, the American College of Surgeons developed The Advanced Trauma Life Support to teach doctors a safe, reliable method to assess and initially manage the trauma patient. This article examines the Italian situation, underlining the principles to provide an organized approach for evaluation and management of seriously injured patients and to offer a foundation of common knowledge for all members of the trauma team. Exploring the most important determinations of the Italian Law, the Author examines the risks of medical liability in civil and penal Code and describes the importance and the meaning of informed consent in trauma care.