Trauma Services

Overview

Trauma Services coordinates the programs and activities of the Alaska system.  This includes:

• Collecting, analyzing, and disseminating data relating to injury patterns and care
• Promoting high quality trauma care at Alaska’s acute care medical facilities
• Facilitating multidisciplinary collaboration among stakeholders involved in the prevention and treatment of traumatic injuries.

What is a trauma system?

A trauma system is a preplanned, coordinated approach to caring for people with serious injuries, covering everything from prevention and emergency care to recovery and rehabilitation.

An inclusive trauma system incorporates every community healthcare facility to match the needs of the injured to the appropriate level of care.  This means ensuring that the most severely injured have timely access to the highest level of care while minimizing unnecessary transports for those that can be safely treated closer to their home communities. Trauma centers at all levels (I-V) collaborate to improve care, make the best use of resources, and ensure equitable access to high-quality treatment regardless of where injuries occur.

Components of the Alaska Trauma System

For a trauma system to run efficiently, it needs to include all healthcare facilities across the state in an organized manner.

Department of Health Staff  

• Trauma Program Manager
• Trauma Registry Manager

Alaska Trauma Registry Database 

• Hospital submitted data on all trauma admissions, transfers, and mortalities

Alaska Trauma System Review Committee (TSRC)

• Advisory, multidisciplinary medical review organization  
• Develops care guidelines, oversees Trauma Center designations, promotes injury prevention and trauma care advocacy, addresses system trauma care issues

Trauma Centers

• Healthcare facilities designated at varying levels  to provide optimal injury care based on available resources and capabilities 

Resources

• American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational association of surgeons founded to improve the quality of care for the surgical patient by setting high standards for surgical education and practice. The Committee on Trauma works to improve the care of injured and critically ill patients – before, en route to, and during hospitalization. Their web site has information on trauma center designation and Advanced Trauma Life Support courses.
• American Trauma Society is dedicated to the prevention of trauma and improvement of trauma care. The society is a strong advocate for injury care and prevention and have numerous programs.
• American College of Emergency Physicians promotes the highest standards of patient care through its advocacy and leadership efforts. Their web site has numerous resources on a variety of topics.
• Society of Trauma Nurses is professional nonprofit organization whose mission is to ensure optimal trauma care to all people through initiatives focused on trauma nurses related to prevention, education and collaboration with other healthcare disciplines.
• Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma provides a forum for the exchange of knowledge to advance the care and rehabilitation of the injured patient.