EMS Trauma Systems

EMS Trauma System: Agenda for the Future

This consensus report documents the importance of full implementation of quality trauma systems across the United States to provide optimal care for injured patients and to enhance the country’s readiness to respond to future acts of terrorism. The document identifies key issues in addressing four fundamental components of the trauma care system (injury prevention, prehospital care, acute care facilities, and post-hospital care), and eight infrastructure elements that are critical to trauma system success.

Model Trauma System Planning and Evaluation (MTSPE) (February 2006)

Published by the USDHHS Trauma Program in 2006, introduced the concept of using public health planning concepts in EMS. It wove trauma system planning, implementation and evaluation around the “three core functions” of public health planning:

  • Assessment
  • Policy Development
  • Assurance

State Trauma System Planning Guide (June 2006)

NASEMSO published this companion document to the 2006 HRSA Model Trauma System Planning and Evaluation Document. This guide was made possible with FY 2005 support from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Division of HealthcarePreparedness (DHP), Trauma-EMS Systems Program.

Joint Legislative Action Review Commission (JLARC) Report – House Document 62, The Use and Financing of Trauma Centers in Virginia (Dec. 2004).

House Joint Resolution 183 (2004) directed the staff of the Joint Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) to review the use and financing of Virginia’s trauma centers, as well as to identify the steps that could be taken to maintain access to trauma services across the Commonwealth. This study was directed shortly after Virginia Beach General Hospital’s trauma center downgraded its designation level due to staffing shortages. Also, during the 2004 Session, a fund was created to support trauma centers through the revenue resulting from an increase in DUI fines. Although this step has been praised by the trauma community, the limited amount in the fund is unlikely to address the challenges faced by Virginia trauma centers and the physicians providing trauma care.