Although the value of a team approach in the resuscitation of the trauma patient has been recognized for more than 30 years, the integration of teams into United Kingdom (UK) hospitals has been slow. The multidisciplinary trauma team needs to be horizontally organized and the members require precise role allocation and practice so that they work together efficiently. To ensure that the trauma team is activated appropriately, criteria need to be defined. The role of the team leader is paramount in effective team-based resuscitation.
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