Pelvic fractures: the golden hour

Abstract

Major accident units should be able to apply standard treatment methods to control life threatening haemorrhage within the ‘Golden Hour’, as recommended by the ATLS guidelines. In this study all 31 major accident units in Scotland were examined to determine their ability to stabilize a pelvic fracture within this period. We found that only eight units could potentially stabilize a pelvis within 1 h. In eight other units no appropriate emergency treatment was available. We recommend that all units designated to receive multiple injuries should have a pelvic stabilization device as well as the training and expertise to use it.