cant injuries to the eye require urgent ophthalmo-
logic care.
See also ACCIDENTAL INJURIES; BLACK EYE; CONJUNC-
TIVITIS; ENUCLEATION;IMPALEMENT; SYMPTOM ASSESS-
MENT AND CARE TRIAGE; VISION IMPAIRMENT.
traumatic amputation The accidental or unin-
tended severance of a body part. Fingers are the
body parts most often lost to traumatic
AMPUTATION. When the amputation is clean, such
as may occur with a sharp object, surgeons may be
able to reattach the amputated part. Avulsions
(tearing of the structures) are often jagged and do
considerable damage to the tissues, and the ampu-
tated part may not be intact enough to recover.
Traumatic amputations typically bleed heavily and
cause extreme PAIN. SHOCKis a significant risk.
Site and situation assessment It is important to
salvage the amputated part and take it to the hos-
pital with the injured person. A person who
remains entangled in machinery remains at high
risk for further injury unless properly extricated
by emergency personnel trained in such situa-
tions. Power tools and appliances that remain
plugged in create a hazard for further injury to the
person or injury to the responder as well as the
risk for ELECTROCUTION. The injured person may
have MULTIPLE TRAUMA, depending on the cause of
the traumatic amputation.
Responder personal protection measures Latex
or latex-type gloves, which the responder should
put on before approaching the injured person, are
essential for personal protection from bloodborne
pathogens as nearly always traumatic amputation
results in heavy bleeding.
First response actions A major traumatic
amputation is a difficult circumstance for an indi-
vidual responder to handle. Call 911 to summon
emergency medical aid, then attempt to control
the bleeding. As with other bleeding injuries,
direct pressure to the injury is the most effective
method. Continue adding bandages, cloths, or
other materials to establish bulk with the pressure.
BLOODloss may rapidly be substantial Try to keep
the person warm and calm.
Follow-through Traumatic amputation typi-
cally requires emergency surgery to stop the
bleeding, repair tissue damage, and reattach the
amputated part when possible.
See also ACCIDENTAL INJURIES; AVULSION; BLEEDING
CONTROL; BODY SUBSTANCE ISOLATION; MOTOR VEHICLE
ACCIDENTS; RESPONDER SAFETY AND PERSONAL PROTEC-
TION; SITE AND SITUATION ASSESSMENT; SYMPTOM ASSESS-
MENT AND CARE TRIAGE.380 Emergency and First Aid