Naked on the table
That is how acute trauma patients should appear.
It pains me to have to point out to pseudohealthcare providers that there is absolutely nothing more or less special about the body or any part of it.
In the acute phase of an emergent trauma victim, providers do not have the benefit of omniscience need to be able to fully assess the victim. It requires complete visualization and exploration.
There is absolutely no way for a field provider to know that there were not multiple injuries without a complete exam. From the picture I would say they left far more intact than I would have considering the nature of the event.
Whats more, there is a medical necessity to be able to constantly observe the patient over time. Especially in trauma, if you start noticing electronic gadget changes prior to physical changes, you may be hopelessly behind the curve. In the absence of medical imaging, physical findings are the only findings.
A distending abdomen, tracheal deviation, bleeding from the urogential/rectal orifices, paradoxical chest movement, brusing, etc, are essential findings that can be obscured which may have a definitive impact on the outcome.
The goal is to save a life and preserve function, not modesty. There is little value or use in a modest dead person.
There was no way prior to a proper exam to know she was only shot in the head. With all the blood likely around and the screaming pandemonium, tracing bullet tracts is not part of EMS response.
As for the collar and board, I wouldn't have bothered. if the cord is severed by a high velocity projectile, immoblization will do little for it. If only the vertebrae were involved the natural splinting will take care of it. The soft cot will also allow parspinal compartment expansion for the inevitable inflammatory response or bleeding into the compartment.
(Don't forget I am not your medical director, so follow your appropriate standing orders)
If you are really still concerned about modesty, rather than wonder about the medics who appropriately didn't use a sheet, perhaps you could be more concerned with the agency that published the picture.
I won't dispute that it is the role of the media to record and report, the quest for a sensational story should taake into account the suffering of the victims.
I have never seen a rape victim's photos published, why should a gunshot victim be afforded less courtesy?
In classical Greek theatre, sensationalism is never acted on stage. The story is reported on stage and never acted or portrayed. Perhaps there is a lesson to be learned there?
(I suffer from broad spectrum intelligence and in addition to having actually enjoyed all of those required educational requirements not directly related to my focus, I actually seek them out for the indirect benefits afforded from pulling informtion from multiple applicable disciplines. It is a curse I know.)
