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Setting an agenda for a national pediatric trauma system: Operationalization of the Pediatric Trauma State Assessment
Caroline Q Stephens1, Mary E Fallat
1From the Department of Surgery (C.Q.S.), University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; and Hiram C. Polk Jr Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine (M.E.F.), Louisville, KY.
Insights
Developing pediatric trauma systems is crucial for public health. States with lower Pediatric Trauma System Assessment Scores (PTSAS) show higher child trauma mortality, highlighting critical system gaps needing urgent action.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Trauma Systems
Background:
- Pediatric trauma systems vary significantly by state, impacting child health outcomes.
- Existing state-level trauma system management often overlooks specific pediatric needs.
- A new Pediatric Trauma System Assessment Score (PTSAS) quantifies these disparities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify critical gaps in pediatric trauma system development across the United States.
- To provide actionable recommendations for addressing identified deficiencies.
- To highlight potential partnerships for improving pediatric trauma care infrastructure.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the newly developed Pediatric Trauma System Assessment Score (PTSAS) to evaluate state-level systems.
- Identified and analyzed critical gaps within six key PTSAS domains.
- Reviewed existing national organizations and governmental initiatives supporting pediatric emergency health systems.
Main Results:
- States with lower PTSAS scores exhibit higher pediatric trauma mortality rates.
- Significant gaps were identified in Legislation and Funding, Access to Care, Injury Prevention, Disaster Preparedness, Quality Improvement/Trauma Registry, and Pediatric Readiness.
- Numerous national organizations offer potential collaborative opportunities to address these gaps.
Conclusions:
- Addressing identified gaps in pediatric trauma systems is essential to reduce child mortality from injuries.
- Strategic partnerships with governmental, professional, and advocacy organizations can accelerate system improvements.
- Proactive measures are necessary to equip the health system for managing injured children effectively nationwide.
Abstract:
Pediatric trauma system development is essential to public health infrastructure and pediatric health systems. Currently, trauma systems are managed at the state level, with significant variation in consideration of pediatric needs. A recently developed Pediatric Trauma System Assessment Score (PTSAS) demonstrated that states with lower PTSAS have increased pediatric mortality from trauma. Critical gaps are identified within six PTSAS domains: Legislation and Funding, Access to Care, Injury Prevention and Recognition, Disaster, Quality Improvement and Trauma Registry, and Pediatric Readiness. For each gap, a recommendation is provided regarding the necessary steps to address these challenges. Existing national organizations, including governmental, professional, and advocacy, highlight the potential partnerships that could be fostered to support efforts to address existing gaps. The organizations created under the US administration are described to highlight the ongoing efforts to support the development of pediatric emergency health systems.It is no longer sufficient to describe the disparities in pediatric trauma outcomes without taking action to ensure that the health system is equipped to manage injured children. By capitalizing on organizations that intersect with trauma and emergency systems to address known gaps, we can reduce the impact of injury on all children across the United States.
