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Quite a few sites provide a variety of informationabout trauma. Because creating Web pages is so

easy, anyone can post anything about whatever. Be-fore you trust information obtained off the Web, usethese simple guidelines to assess the quality of a site.

Consider the sourceAn initial indication of the quality of a Web site can befound in the Web universal resource locator (URL). TheURL is the computer address that identifies the loca-tion and type of a particular resource on the Web. URLsbegin with “http://” (eg, http://www.mc.uky.edu).

The domain is represented by the 3 letters afterthe name. The domain name classifies the sites for thepurposes of addresses. Some common domains arelisted in Table 1. For example, the ENA site containsthe domain “.org” because it is a nonprofit organiza-tion. Whereas educational, organizational, or govern-ment sites appear to be more credible, some excellentcommercial and personal Web sites exist.

Consider the authorshipLook at the point of view or bias of the site. When

evaluating a site, examine the credentials of the au-thor or sponsoring organization. Look for informationabout the education, background, and experiencewith the subject. Quality Web sites include contactinformation for the author or organization so the read-er can seek additional information if necessary.

Consider the purposeThe Web includes sites that are meant for entertain-ment, advertisement, and education. The purpose ofmany sites is to sell a product or make a particularpoint. Some sites are written for children, and others

for adults. Some sites are written for the layperson orconsumer, others for the professional.

Consider the contentQuality sites provide unique information that is accu-rate and free of errors. Content should be written atthe level of the audience of the site. Links to addi-tional information are beneficial as supplements;good sites evaluate or annotate links.

Consider currency or timelinessHaving the most current information is not importantfor some Web sites. However, for some sites, such asthose that feature health care information, havingcurrent information is crucial. Quality Web sites up-date the information on their pages on a regular basis.Pages should list the date of creation and the datethey were last updated.

Consider design and arrangementQuality Web sites are user-friendly. The layout shouldbe logical and easy to use. Pages are short, and navi-gational links are available for quick use of the site.Readers should find relevant information with a min-imum of clicking and scrolling. Graphics should en-hance the information presented, not merely decoratethe Web page. Pages should download quickly andreliably.

Try using these guidelines when you examinethe following trauma Web sites before you add them

Mary Vaughn is Librarian, Information and Educational Services,Chandler Medical Center, Lexington, Ky. Vicky Bradley, BluegrassChapter, is Director, Nursing Informatics, University of KentuckyHospital, Lexington, Ky.J Emerg Nurs 1999;25:538-40.Copyright © 1999 by the Emergency Nurses Association.0099-1767/99 $8.00 + 0 18/9/102368

InformaticsBookmarks for trauma Web resourcesAuthors: Mary Vaughn, BS, MLS, and Vicky Bradley, RN, MS,Lexington, Ky

Section Editors: Vicky Bradley, RN, MS, and Marsha Zimmerman, RN, MA

Anyone can post anythingabout whatever. Before youtrust information obtainedoff the Web, use thesesimple guidelines to assessthe quality of a site.

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to your bookmark collection. The resources describejust some of the sites’ contents.

Clinical trauma Web sitesSite: MosbyURL: http://www.mosby.com/ijtnResources: International Journal of Trauma tables ofcontents and abstracts from 1997 to the present areavailable at this site. Articles and abstracts from Jour-nal of Emergency Nursing are available at www.mosby.com/jen. Issues from October 1998 to presentare featured. Tables of contents and abstracts fromFebruary 1997 to present are also posted at that site.

Site: Vanderbilt Shock Trauma Information CenterURL: http://www.traumaburn.comResources: This site features research, publications,and presentations by faculty from the level I traumacenter at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. It in-cludes clinical guidelines, student information, andon-line presentations.

Site: The Journal of Trauma: Injury, Infection, andCritical Care, sponsored by The American Associa-tion for the Surgery of TraumaURL: http://www.wwilkins.com/TA/index.htmlResources: A summary of articles published since1996 is included at this site.

Site: American Association of Critical Care NursingURL: http://www.aacn.orgResources: This site includes trauma best practices(eg, “Family Presence During Invasive Proceduresand Resuscitation”). It also features numerous criticalcare abstracts and continuing education articles oncritical care from AACN Clinical Issues: AdvancedPractice in Acute and Critical Care, American Journalof Critical Care, and Critical Care Nurse.

Site: British Trauma SocietyURL: http://www.trauma.orgResources: Articles on numerous trauma topics,case scenarios, and a Trauma ImageBank, which is arepository of trauma pictures and diagrams, can befound at this site.

Site: American Association for the Surgery of TraumaURL: http://www.aast.orgResources: At this site you will find injury scoringscales and the TRAUMA-L E-mail discussion groupat http://www.aast.org/lists.html

Site: Eastern Association for the Surgery of TraumaURL: http://www.east.orgResources: Trauma practice guidelines such as“Practice Management Guidelines for Screening ofBlunt Cardiac Injury” or “Practice Parameters for Iden-tifying Cervical Spine Injuries Following Trauma” areincluded at this site.

Site: Liverpool Trauma Web SiteURL: http://www.swsahs.nsw.gov.au/livtraumaResources: The trauma department at LiverpoolHospital of the University of New South Wales, Syd-ney, Australia, provides a history of their trauma cen-ter, current research projects, trauma cases, and com-plete multiple choice questionnaires.

Site: TraumaNET, Orlando Regional Healthcare Sys-tem: Trauma Network & Education ToolURL: http://www.trauma.orhs.org/htmls/homepage2.htmlResources: This site features a selection of interest-ing and unusual trauma cases.

Site: San Antonio’s Trauma Home Page, University ofTexas Health Science CenterURL: http://rmstewart.uthscsa.eduResources: This page, maintained by Ronald M.Stewart, MD, and the Department of Surgery, includescase studies, such as “Abdominal Pain Following anAutomobile Crash” or “Impalement Injury DuringMotor Vehicle Crash.”

Site: The DENTalTRAUMA WWW ServerURL: http://www.unige.ch/smd/orthotr.htmlResources: The University of Geneva School of Den-tistry—Department of Orthodontics and Pedodonticsprovides articles on dental trauma and dento-alveolarinjuries.

Table 1Domains

• com = commercial• gov = government• edu = educational

• mil = military• org = organization• net = network

Pages should list the date ofcreation and the date theywere last updated.

Site: David Baldwin’s Trauma Information PagesURL: http://www.trauma-pages.comResources: Information about emotional trauma andtraumatic stress, including posttraumatic stress dis-order, is included at this site.

Trauma prevention Web sitesSite: Harborview Injury Prevention and ResearchCenterURL: http://weber.u.washington.edu/~hiprcResources: This site features prevention materialsthat can be downloaded and reviews of childhood in-juries and prevention interventions.

Site: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control,part of the Centers for Disease Control and PreventionURL: http://www.cdc.gov/ncipcResources: At this site you will find a wealth of re-sources, including research grants and funding oppor-tunities; dog safety tips for parents; resources for beingsafe at work from injuries related to hazards, equip-ment, working conditions, and violence; and epidemi-ology of traumatic brain injury in the United States.

Site: SpringNet, Springhouse CorporationURL: http://www.springnet.com/ENA/ENAtop.htmResources: Springnet and ENA provide continuingeducation articles and community-wide injury pre-vention programs to educate the public about reduc-ing the incidence of preventable injuries.

Site: The National Association of Emergency Med-ical TechniciansURL: http://naemt.orgResources: “Child & Adolescent Health Care: A Com-munity Assessment Guide” can be accessed at thissite.

Sites: The Children’s Safety Network National Injuryand Violence Prevention Resource CenterURL: http://www.edc.org/HHD/csnResources: This center is 1 of 4 Children’s SafetyNetwork Resource Centers funded by the Maternaland Child Health Bureau of the US Department ofHealth and Human Services. The site includes casestudies on community injury prevention interven-tions, such as community traffic safety program, farminjury prevention, youth violence prevention program,and occupational health and safety for teens.

Site: The National SAFE KIDS CampaignURL: http://www.safekids.org

Resources: This site features a family safety check-list and fact sheets that include statistics and preven-tion tips on topics such as shopping cart injury, motorvehicle occupant injury, and sports injuries.

Site: Office of Juvenile Justice and DelinquencyPreventionURL: http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org/index.htmlResources: Blueprints Model Programs that were se-lected from a review of more than 450 violence pre-vention programs are included at this site.

Site: Emergency Medical Services for ChildrenURL: http://www.ems-c.orgResources: Find out what your state and others aredoing to improve pediatric emergency care.

Site: American Trauma SocietyURL: http://www.amtrauma.orgResources: This site provides information about theATS Bystander Care of the Injured Program or “RedLight Running” campaign.

Site: US Department of Transportation Federal High-way AdministrationURL: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov or www.nozone.orgResources: Find out about “No-Zone” national pub-lic outreach campaign to educate people about thedanger areas around trucks and buses where crashesare more likely to occur.

Suggested reading

1. Grassian E. Thinking critically about World Wide Web re-sources [online]. UCLA College Library; 1998. Available from:URL: http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/college/instruct/web/critical.htm2. Harris R. Evaluating Internet research sources [online].1997. Available from: URL: http://www.sccu.edu/faculty/R_Harris/evalu8it.htm3. Ormondroyd J, Engle M, Cosgrave T. How to critically ana-lyze information sources [online]. Cornell University Library;1999. Available from: URL: http://www.library.cornell.edu/okuref/research/skill26.htm

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Contributions to this column are welcomed andencouraged. Submissions may be sent to VickyBradley, RN, MS, 4017 Palomar Blvd, Lexington,KY 40513; phone (606) 257-2350; E-mail:bradley@pop.uky.edu or Marsha Zimmerman,RN, MA, 1414 Ashland Ave, St Paul, MN 55104;(612) 347-8796; E-mail: marsha.zimmerman@co.hennepin.mn.us.