Pre-hospital Advanced Therapies for Control of Hemorrhage - Pelvis

Pre-hospital Advanced Therapies for Control of Hemorrhage (PATCH) - Pelvis

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the use of pelvic binders in the ambulance setting improves outcomes including mortality in patients with pelvic fractures.

The goal of this prospective, randomized clinical trial is to determine whether prehospital use of a commercial pelvic binder will improve morbidity and mortality in patients with pelvic fractures. We hypothesize that prehospital placement of pelvic binders will reduce hemorrhage and need for resuscitation and will improve overall mortality in patients with pelvic fractures. In addition, we hypothesize that pelvic splinting via external compression will improve patients' pain regardless of whether they have a pelvic, acetabular, or proximal femur fracture.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Traumatic injury other than ground-level fall, and
• Complaint of pelvic groin or hip pain, or
• Pelvic or hip deformity, ecchymosis, or crepitus in an obtunded patient, or
• Hemodynamic instability

Exclusion Criteria:

• Ground level fall
• Penetrating pelvis injury without frank evidence of fracture
• Obviously pregnant patients
• Patients who are too small or too big for the binder
• Priority 2 or 3 Trauma