An Overview of Blunt Chest Trauma

Course overview

Trauma is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the U.S. (CDC, 2019a). Unintentional traumatic injuries and violence claim nearly 200,000 lives per year, with motor vehicle crashes and falls accounting for nearly 78,000 deaths in 2019 (CDC, 2019b). Trauma and violence also account for more than 2.5 million non-fatal injuries annually and are the leading cause of hospitalization, morbidity, and disability in people between the ages of 1 and 55 (CDC, 2019b). Among trauma victims, blunt chest trauma is cited as the primary cause of death in 20% to 25% of cases (CDC, 2019b).