Trauma Protocols Repository

The Trauma Protocols Repository is a collaborative initiative of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Committee on Trauma (COT), the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST), and the Pediatric Trauma Society (PTS). The repository provides concise, evidence-informed protocols developed through multidisciplinary expert consensus to assist trauma centers in developing or refining local clinical protocols.

These protocols are intended to serve as practical frameworks that trauma centers can adapt to their patient populations, available resources, and institutional workflows. They support standardized approaches to trauma care while allowing flexibility for local implementation.

Adult Trauma Protocols

New!
Management of Patients with Rib Fractures

American Association for the Surgery of Trauma/American College of Surgeons-Committee on Trauma Clinical Consensus Statement on the management of patients with rib fractures

Park C, Schwed AC, Buhavac M, Coleman JR, Cross A, Jacovides CL, Yoo B, Agarwal S, Rappold J, Savage SA

J Trauma Acute Care Surg. Epub 2026 May 15

VTE Prophylaxis - Post-Discharge

American Association for the Surgery of Trauma/American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma Clinical Protocol for Post-Discharge Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis after Trauma.

Berndtson AE, Cross A, Yorkgitis BK, Kennedy R, Kochuba MP, Tignanelli C, Tominaga GT, Jacobs DG, Ashley DW, Ley EJ, Napolitano L, Costantini TW.

J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2024 Jun 1;96(6):980-985

Damage Control Resuscitation

American Association for the Surgery of Trauma/American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma: Clinical protocol for damage-control resuscitation for the adult trauma patient

LaGrone LN, Stein D, Cribari C, Kaups K, Harris C, Miller AN, Smith B, Dutton R, Bulger E, Napolitano LM.

J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2024 Mar 1;96(3):510-520

Glycemic Control in the ICU

American Association for the Surgery of Trauma/American College of Surgeons-Committee on Trauma Clinical Consensus-Driven Protocol for glucose management in the post-resuscitation intensive care unit adult trauma patient.

Jacovides CL, Skeete DA, Werner NL, Toschlog EA, Agarwal S, Coopwood B, Crandall M, Tominaga GT.

J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2023 Dec 1;95(6):951-958.

Management of ARDS / Severe Hypoxia

American Association for the Surgery of Trauma/American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma clinical protocol for management of acute respiratory distress syndrome and severe hypoxemia.

Fawley JA, Tignanelli CJ, Werner NL, Kasotakis G, Mandell SP, Glass NE, Dries DJ, Costantini TW, Napolitano LM.

J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2023 Oct 1;95(4):592-602. 

VTE Prophylaxis - Inpatient

American Association for the Surgery of Trauma/American College of Surgeons-Committee on Trauma Clinical Protocol for inpatient venous thromboembolism prophylaxis after trauma.

Yorkgitis BK, Berndtson AE, Cross A, Kennedy R, Kochuba MP, Tignanelli C, Tominaga GT, Jacobs DG, Marx WH, Ashley DW, Ley EJ, Napolitano L, Costantini TW.

J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2022 Mar 1;92(3):597-604.

Pediatric Trauma Protocols

Coming soon.