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Trauma systems in Europe.
1Department of Surgery, University of Basel, Switzerland.
American Journal of Surgery
|February 1, 1991
Summary
European countries vary in trauma care systems. Germany leads in prehospital helicopter rescue, while hospital care models differ, with general surgeons often managing trauma, though integrated systems are emerging.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Surgical Systems
- Trauma Care
Background:
- Prehospital emergency medical services have evolved, with Germany developing a coordinated physician-equipped air and terrestrial transport system.
- Hospital trauma care models vary across Europe, influencing patient management and surgical responsibilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare and contrast different European trauma care systems.
- To analyze the roles of various surgical specialties in trauma management across different countries.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of prehospital and hospital trauma care structures in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Holland, Great Britain, France, Italy, and Spain.
- Review of evolving models for trauma victim management within hospital settings.
Main Results:
- Germany has advanced its prehospital helicopter rescue system, surpassing Switzerland's initial development.
- Hospital trauma care models show divergence: Germany and Austria utilize "general surgeon-traumatologists," while Switzerland and Holland retain general surgeons for trauma. Great Britain assigns locomotor trauma to orthopedic surgeons.
- A trend towards integrated trauma care systems in large hospitals is observed, though not widely implemented.
Conclusions:
- European trauma care systems exhibit significant national variations in both prehospital and hospital management.
- The integration of trauma care within hospital settings is a developing trend, with general surgeons playing a key role, yet leadership in dedicated trauma teams remains limited.