The Alaska Trauma Registry

Recognizing that injury is the leading cause of death and disability for virtually all age groups in Alaska, a trauma task force was developed in the Anchorage area in the early 1980s. This task force established the trauma registry pilot project in the state of Alaska. The Emergency medical Services Section, Department of Health and Social Services provided the funding to the Southern Region Emergency Medical Services Council, Inc. and the Alaska Chapter of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma to develop this pilot project. The funding originated from a federal grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Seven hospital participated in the pilot project which lasted approximately two and one half years. There were 5,087 entries into the registry with information on 4,860 patients. The rationale, methodology, and development of the registry, as well as some of the data accumulated is presented. The potential usefulness of the registry as a quality improvement tool and as an extensive data base for injury prevention and trauma care research also is discussed.