Neurotrauma care and the neurosurgeon

The AANS and CNS support the concept of organized neurosurgical trauma care that consists of the appropriate combination of prepared communities and institutions and of adequate numbers of committed neurosurgeons. We further support the guidelines of the ACS regarding institutions designated to receive trauma patients and support the concept of prehospital triage of trauma victims based on well-trained EMS personnel guided by criteria selected by the local neurosurgical community. We support audit systems that include neurosurgeons to assess and improve the quality of neurotrauma care. By using the principles outlined above, neurosurgeons can plan, support, and evaluate whatever system their community or region requires for the optimal care of the neurotrauma patient.