Timing of Trauma Deaths

Deaths from trauma occur in a tri-modal distribution:

• The first and largest peak (50% of deaths) is seen immediately or within minutes after injury
• The second peak (30% of deaths) occurs up to four hours later, but may be preventable by prompt diagnosis and appropriate intervention (the 'Golden Hour')
• The third peak (20% of deaths) occurs days or weeks later from complications such as sepsis and multiple organ failure