Abstract
The study was a descriptive research to identify the criteria of the Ideal Trauma System, set up by the American College of Surgeons, to compare the health care resources of Ventura County and evaluate whether a trauma system was feasible. Descriptive research, involving a survey, was utilized to establish the quantity and quality of trauma in Ventura County. The CRAMS Trauma Collection Form was distributed over a nine-month period at each hospital in Ventura County, analyzing the amount, location, type, age, sex, survivability and seriousness of trauma patients. Along with the survey, health care resources were identified in the community: communication, transportation, facilities and staffing. A comparison was done with the criteria set up by the American College of Surgeons, Committee on Trauma for an Ideal Trauma System. Due to the influx of population, social and political pressures within the community, Ventura County needs to look into other options to handle trauma victims besides a trauma system. It is recommended that a short-term strategic plan be established that can incorporate into a long-term strategic plan to meet the standard-of-care for trauma victims. The standard-of-care for trauma patients is known as the "golden hour" of trauma; one hour from injury to definitive treatment causes a decrease of the mortality rate of 27 percent. This short-term strategic plan is called an Internal Trauma System in which each hospital emergency department internally reorganizes so that they can meet the criteria for the "golden hour" of trauma. The patient is treated with fluids and/or surgery within one hour of injury. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.).