list of massachusetts trauma center levels

List of massachusetts trauma center levels drivers#

History has shown that changes in health care economics can also make trauma center designation less desirable and, as a result, some trauma centers drop high-level designation despite demonstrated population need-a scenario that played out frequently in the 1990s. Recent changes in health care economics have made trauma center designation generally more desirable, and certain areas have developed a perceived oversupply of high-level trauma centers with potentially adverse effects on cost and efficiency of patient care. The result is a situation in which the resources available for the care of injured patients change with the economic tide.

When changing economic fortunes determine the desirability of trauma center designation, hospitals may opt in or out of the system based upon their own perceived gains without consideration of the needs of the populations served. When this situation occurs, trauma center designation becomes driven by the needs and ambitions of individual health care organizations or hospital groups rather than the needs of injured patients within the region. Without both a strong mandate and clear statutory authority that is backed by a transparent and fair process, lead agencies for many trauma systems have been unable to make potentially controversial decisions and, in some cases, have abdicated their responsibility for trauma center designation. Nonetheless, few trauma systems are able to operationalize these concepts, especially when faced with real or potential challenges that stem from powerful health care institutions or providers. The COT has encouraged government officials responsible for trauma center designation to develop metrics to determine the need for additional trauma care prior to adding or upgrading new trauma centers in a region. As a result, in most states the number and distribution of trauma centers is not matched to the needs of the population, with ongoing inadequate access to care in rural areas, while some urban and suburban areas have a plethora of trauma centers that raises costs and dilutes the patient volumes, particularly at Level I trauma centers.Īdequate trauma center volume is important for clinical proficiency, innovation and research, leadership development, education, and expertise. As there is no national trauma system legislation or infrastructure, state and local governments have established these systems of care with significant variability in structure, process, resources, and authority. The importance of controlling the allocation of trauma centers, as well as the need for a process to designate trauma centers based upon regional population need, has been recognized as an essential component of trauma system design since the 1980s. The number, level, and location of trauma centers are critical elements of trauma system function and disaster response. Regional trauma system implementation has been shown to improve mortality and reduce complications.

List of massachusetts trauma center levels drivers#

The addendum addressing specific issues related to the economic drivers impacting trauma systems was added in June 2021 with the approval of the Board of Regents during its meeting in Chicago, IL. The following statement was developed by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Committee on Trauma’s (COT) Trauma Systems Evaluation and Planning Committee and was approved by the Board of Regents at its October 2014 meeting.