Trauma systems are associated with increased level 3 trauma centers.

Area of Science:

• Trauma system research
• Health services research
• Public health policy

Background:

• State-supported trauma systems improve patient survival, but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood.
• This study hypothesizes that funded trauma systems lead to an increased number of trauma centers (TCs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between state trauma system funding and the number of verified trauma centers.
• To determine if trauma system funding independently predicts the number of Level 1, 2, or 3 trauma centers.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective population study using data from the American College of Surgeons and state health departments for 2010.
• Examined the number of adult trauma centers (TCs) per capita and per gross domestic product (GDP).
• Statistical analysis included the Mann-Whitney U-test and Poisson regression.

Main Results:

• Funded trauma systems were significantly associated with a higher number of Level 3 TCs per GDP and per capita.
• No association was found between trauma system funding and the number of Level 1 or Level 2 TCs.
• System funding was identified as an independent predictor for the number of Level 3 TCs.

Conclusions:

• The number of Level 3 TCs significantly correlates with the presence of a funded trauma system.
• Trauma system funding does not correlate with the number of Level 1 or Level 2 TCs.
• Further research is needed to determine if an increased number of Level 3 TCs improves clinical outcomes.