Patient education: Motor vehicle crash – Discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care for a health problem.

What is a motor vehicle crash? — A motor vehicle crash ("MVC") is also known as a car accident, collision, or wreck. Some MVCs involve more than 1 vehicle. Other times, a vehicle might hit a person, animal, or object like a tree or pole.

What injuries can happen because of an MVC? — MVCs can cause a wide range of injuries. Some injuries show up right away, while others might appear over a few days or weeks. People can also be injured from the seat belt or an airbag after an accident. Common injuries that might occur because of an MVA include:

●Broken bones

●Bleeding inside of the body

●Harm to internal organs like the lungs, liver, spleen, or intestines

●Head injury, including concussion

●Neck injury

●Muscle pain

●Burns

●Cuts and bruises

MVCs can also have emotional or mental effects. This can include:

●Anxiety

●Fear

●Trouble sleeping

●Depression

●Stress

After an MVC, doctors will ask questions and do tests to check the person for injuries. Then, they make a plan for care based on how serious the injuries are. Some people need emergency surgery. Other people need to stay in the hospital or in an intensive care unit ("ICU") for care and to make sure that they do not develop more serious symptoms.

How long it takes for your injuries to heal is based on how seriously you were hurt. Most people feel very sore for a few days, even after a minor accident.

How do I care for myself at home? — Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure that you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

You should also:

●Keep any minor wounds clean and dry for the first 24 hours. After 24 hours, you can gently wash minor wounds with soap and water, or take a shower.

•Wash your hands before and after you touch your wound or bandage.

•You can apply an antibiotic ointment to a skin wound 1 to 2 times each day. You can cover your wound with a bandage, or leave it open to air out.

If you had a serious wound, stitches, or a burn, follow the doctor's instructions for how to care for it.

If you had a fracture (broken bone) and were placed in a splint, cast, or brace, follow the doctor's instructions for how to care for it.

●Take medicines like ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), naproxen (sample brand names: Aleve, Naprosyn), or acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol) to help with pain, if needed.

●Follow all instructions for taking prescription pain medicines, if you got them.

●Try to get up and move around some each day. Staying in bed or sitting for too long can delay your healing. Do not push yourself. If you feel severe pain, stop.

●Ice to help with pain, if needed – Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel over the painful parts. Never put ice right on your skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Use for the first 24 to 48 hours after an injury.

What follow-up care do I need? — Your doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to make a follow-up appointment. If so, make sure that you know when and where to go.

When should I call the doctor? — Call for emergency help right away (In the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:

●You have trouble breathing.

●You have bad belly pain, especially if it is worse when you try to get up or are active.

●You have bad pain in your chest, back, neck, head, arms, or legs.

●You become confused, or have trouble waking from sleep or staying awake.

●You have weakness or numbness in your arms, legs, or both.

●You have blood in your urine or bowel movements.

Call the doctor or nurse for advice if:

●You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.

●You have pain that does not get better with medicine.

●You have a wound that is not healing, is draining yellow, green, or bad-smelling discharge, or opens up.

●You have a mild headache or stiff neck that does not start to get better after 2 to 3 days.

●Your feelings of anxiety, stress, or depression are not getting better.

If any of the above symptoms seem severe, or if you are concerned but cannot reach the doctor or nurse, seek emergency help. These things don't always mean that there is a serious problem, but seeing a doctor is the only way to know for sure.

More on this topic

Patient education: Fractures (The Basics)
Patient education: Head injury in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Taking care of cuts, scrapes, and puncture wounds (The Basics)
Patient education: Taking care of bruises (The Basics)
Patient education: Skin burns (The Basics)