IT’S TRAUMA TUESDAY is

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Brought to you by TCAR Education Programs

For nurses and other clinicians practicing anywhere

along the trauma care spectrum

Take a quick test of your trauma care knowledge

Article of the Week

HOCUS POCUS: NPO Time is a Poor Predictor of an Empty Stomach in Pediatric Patients Requiring Procedural Sedation

In this week’s article, the authors examine whether fasting duration accurately predicts the presence of gastric contents in children undergoing emergency sedation. Using point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), they found that many pediatric patients still had substantial gastric contents despite prolonged fasting, suggesting that NPO time alone may not reliably predict aspiration risk. 

For trauma nurses, this is especially relevant when caring for children requiring urgent procedures, because delaying care solely to meet traditional fasting timelines may not meaningfully alter gastric status. The article supports using the child’s overall clinical condition, procedural urgency, and aspiration risk—along with available POCUS—to guide safe, timely care.

Click the link to view the article or watch a short AI-generated article summary (4 min 45 sec).

Moake MM, Presley BC, Hill JG, et al. Point-of-care ultrasound to assess gastric content in pediatric emergency department procedural sedation patients. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2022;38(1):e178-e186.

Trauma Happenings

Celebrate Emergency Nurses Week, Oct 11-17

When one day just isn’t enough, let’s celebrate all week. Many thanks to all emergency nurses and to those who care for injured patients at every stage of their journey.

With luck and effective preventive strategies, most of us will never be major trauma patients, but few will get through life without at least one emergency department visit. Thank you for being there when we need you most.
 

ACS TQIP Annual Conference, Nov 13-15

The American College of Surgeons’ Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) is hosting its 2026 conference in Anaheim, CA, right next to Disneyland.

The complexities of patient care require more than individual expertise—it demands coordinated action across teams, disciplines, and institutions. This year’s theme, Collaboration: Better Together, highlights the essential role of connection and shared effort in advancing trauma care.

Stop by the TCAR Education Programs Booth (#510) in the exhibit hall to say hello to the TCAR/PCAR team, ask questions, and pick up our famously fun badge ribbons. See you there!
 

In Adult Humans, What's the Only Bone Not Attached to Another Bone?

It’s the hyoid! Located at the front of the neck, just below the lower jaw and above the larynx, the small, U-shaped hyoid bone “floats” without attachment to any other bone. Instead, a sturdy network of muscles and ligaments holds it in place.

The hyoid can be crushed in patients with laryngeal trauma, which can lead to airway compromise. Hyoid fractures can be found in patients with “clothesline” injuries, neck vs. steering wheel trauma, strangulation, throat punches, and hangings.

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