In the fourth installment of its series on the trauma care system in the U.S., the ACS Committee on Trauma shines a light on gaps that lead to variability, higher costs and, ultimately, preventable deaths. Improved bystander training, a rethinking of EMS services, a distribution of trauma centers that is based on the needs of the population, and better linking between pre-hospital data and later stages of care will all be required for a much improved national trauma care system.
“We can improve care for injured patients by attending to them immediately, stabilizing and getting them to the most appropriate level of care, strengthening our trauma systems, and improving the quality of trauma care through data and research that can lead to improved practices and higher standards,” Ronald M. Stewart, MD, FACS, Chair, ACS Committee on Trauma, is quoted as saying in the article. “Traumatic injury is the leading health crisis facing our children and our uniformed service personnel in combat, and we must act now to improve care, save more lives, and ensure our national security and preparedness.”
