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36 - Trauma Systems, Triage, and Transfer

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 January 2010

By
John J. Como
Edited by
Charles E. Smith
John J. Como
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
Charles E. Smith
Affiliation:
Case Western Reserve University, Ohio
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Summary

Objectives

  1. Define the concept of and the need for trauma systems.

  2. Relate the history and development of trauma systems in the United States.

  3. Discuss the role of the various trauma centers within the trauma system.

  4. Explain the principles of trauma patient triage.

  5. Describe the principles involved in transfer of the injured patient between institutions.

TRAUMA SYSTEMS

The cost to society due to trauma is enormous. Trauma is the leading cause of death for Americans 35 years of age and younger [1]. Traumatic injuries are estimated to be responsible for more than 161,000 deaths each year. In addition to mortality, trauma is significant for number of years of productive life lost and prolonged or permanent disability. For every person who dies of injury, an estimated 10 persons are hospitalized or transferred for specialized medical care, and 178 persons are treated and released from a hospital emergency department [1]. In 2000, there were an estimated 1,700,000 hospital discharges with a primary injury diagnosis [2]. The problem of injury has a profound effect on individuals, families, hospitals, and society at large because it causes tremendous medical, psychosocial, and financial burdens [1].

Because of this, the prevention of traumatic injury and the treatment of the acutely injured patient are public services central to the mission of public health agencies. Trauma systems and trauma centers are essential to providing these public services.

Type
Chapter
Information
Trauma Anesthesia , pp. 569 - 578
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2008

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References

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  • Trauma Systems, Triage, and Transfer
    • By John J. Como, Department of Surgery, MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
  • Edited by Charles E. Smith, Case Western Reserve University, Ohio
  • Book: Trauma Anesthesia
  • Online publication: 18 January 2010
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511547447.039
Available formats
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Save book to Dropbox

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  • Trauma Systems, Triage, and Transfer
    • By John J. Como, Department of Surgery, MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
  • Edited by Charles E. Smith, Case Western Reserve University, Ohio
  • Book: Trauma Anesthesia
  • Online publication: 18 January 2010
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511547447.039
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Trauma Systems, Triage, and Transfer
    • By John J. Como, Department of Surgery, MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
  • Edited by Charles E. Smith, Case Western Reserve University, Ohio
  • Book: Trauma Anesthesia
  • Online publication: 18 January 2010
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511547447.039
Available formats
×