The golden hour: scientific fact or medical "urban legend"? Acad Emerg Med 2001 Jul;8(7):758-60
Date
07/04/2001Pubmed ID
11435197DOI
10.1111/j.1553-2712.2001.tb00201.xScopus ID
2-s2.0-0034931505 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 347 CitationsAbstract
The term "golden hour" is commonly used to characterize the urgent need for the care of trauma patients. This term implies that morbidity and mortality are affected if care is not instituted within the first hour after injury. This concept justifies much of our current trauma system. However, definitive references are generally not provided when this concept is discussed. It remains unclear whether objective data exist. This article discusses a detailed literature and historical record search for support of the "golden hour" concept. None is identified.
Author List
Lerner EB, Moscati RMMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Emergency Medical ServicesEmergency Treatment
Evidence-Based Medicine
Humans
Multiple Trauma
Philosophy, Medical
Time Factors
Traumatology