IT’S TRAUMA TUESDAY is

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For nurses and other clinicians practicing anywhere

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Article of the Week

Estrogen and the "Female Survival Advantage"

This article describes how estrogen may play a protective role in severely injured patients by improving the body’s ability to control bleeding and maintain vascular integrity. Research suggests that premenopausal women tend to have better outcomes after trauma, likely due to estradiol’s effects on coagulation and the vascular system. 

For bedside trauma nurses, these findings point to emerging treatment strategies that could enhance resuscitation, such as administering estrogen-based therapies or considering the gender of blood donors. Although still under investigation, this information reinforces the importance of early, targeted interventions to limit hemorrhage, support organ perfusion, and improve survival in critically injured patients.

Click the link to view the article or watch a short AI-generated article summary (5 min 19 sec).

Raghavan N, Patel M, Cotton BA, Coleman J, Jenkins D. Estrogen as a therapeutic agent: Targeting endotheliopathy and coagulopathy in trauma. Transfusion. 2026

Trauma Happenings

May: A Month of Celebrations!

May is a busy month dedicated to raising awareness and recognizing the many professionals who care for trauma patients, from prehospital through rehabilitation.

• May 1 is the first day of National Trauma Awareness Month
• May is also Stop the Bleed Month
• Trauma Registry Professional Day is May 6th
• National Nurses Week is May 6-12th
• May 12-18th is National Neuroscience Nurses Week
• National EMS Week is May 17-23rd
• National Trauma Survivors Day (NTSD) is May 20th this year 

Whew, party hardy in May!

Click the link below to see how you can join in the NTSD celebration!

Is it Time to Reverify?

TCAR and PCAR verification is valid for four years, reflecting the evolving nature of trauma care and the realities of clinical practice. Without reinforcement, knowledge fades over time, making periodic refreshers essential to maintaining clinical excellence. In addition, traumatology is a rapidly advancing field, with new evidence and best practices continually shaping patient care.

Equally important is your professional growth. You are not the same nurse you were four years ago. As you progress along the continuum from novice to expert, your expanded clinical experience, ongoing education, and professional development deepen your ability to interpret and apply knowledge. This growth enables you to engage with course material at a more advanced level and integrate it more meaningfully into practice.

Don’t let your verification lapse. Enroll now in a TCAR or PCAR course. You’ll see many updates from your last course version.

Freeze-Dried Platelets For TBI

Emerging research highlights a promising new approach to the management of traumatic brain injury (TBI) using a freeze-dried platelet product known as “thrombosomes.” In preclinical studies, this therapy reduced intracranial bleeding, stabilized damaged cerebral blood vessels, and significantly decreased secondary brain swelling by reinforcing the blood–brain barrier and limiting inflammation.

Unlike traditional platelets, thrombosomes can be stored at room temperature for up to five years! making it a potentially valuable option for prehospital and remote care settings. Thrombosomes are currently being studied only in animal models, not in human TBI care. However, if results are promising, thrombosome could address a longstanding gap in pharmacologic treatment for cerebral edema. Read more about it at the link below!

TCAR Education Programs
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