Related Experiment Videos
Update on trauma system development in the United States.
R R Bass1, P S Gainer, A R Carlini
1University of Maryland at Baltimore, Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems, 21201, USA. rbass@mdems.umaryland.edu
The Journal of Trauma
|September 25, 1999
Summary
Trauma system development in the US shows significant progress since 1987 and 1993. More states now meet essential criteria, likely due to federal support for trauma systems.
Area of Science:
- Emergency medicine
- Public health policy
Background:
- Previous reports in 1987 and 1993 documented trauma system development in the US.
- This study provides an updated status of current trauma systems nationwide.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the current state of trauma system development across the United States.
- To compare current findings with historical data from 1987 and 1993.
Main Methods:
- A survey was distributed to all state emergency medical service directors, including the District of Columbia.
- The survey assessed the presence of eight essential trauma system development criteria.
- Data were analyzed and compared to previous study results.
Main Results:
- Five states met all eight essential development criteria.
- 28 states met six or seven criteria, while 10 states met one to five criteria.
- This represents a notable increase compared to 18 states meeting six or more criteria in 1993 and 22 states meeting four or more in 1987.
Conclusions:
- Significant progress has been made in the number of states with established trauma systems and those meeting key development criteria.
- Federal assistance for trauma system development, available from 1991 to 1995, may have contributed to this recent advancement.