|
When fully operational, trauma systems provide a level of care that includes public access through calls to 911, emergency medical services, and timely transport to a hospital or a trauma center dedicated to the care of the injured. In collaboration with the American Trauma Society, the Center developed an inventory of trauma centers in the U.S., and found that although the number of trauma centers has more than doubled since 1991, their availability and configuration vary from state to state.
To better understand the impact of these variations in trauma care on patient outcomes, the Center is collaborating with the University of Washington on the National Study on the Costs and Outcomes of Trauma Care (NSCOT). Findings have demonstrated the lifesaving benefits of trauma care compared to non-trauma care for the severely injured. Alarmingly, however, this research also found that elderly trauma patients are significantly less likely than their younger counterparts to get to a trauma center when they are severely injured. Injuries often result in poor functional outcomes even when optimal acute trauma care and medical rehabilitation are provided. Self-management interventions have been developed by Center researchers to improve these outcomes. In partnership with the American Trauma Society, a Trauma Survivors Network is being implemented and evaluated to address the needs of patients and their families.
|
| |
