Wisconsin Trauma Care System
Injury Prevention
Wisconsin's trauma care providers and EMS
responders know first-hand the human toll exacted by traumatic
injuries. It is the leading cause of death for people between the ages
of one and 44. Traumatic injuries killed 3,231 people in
Wisconsin during 2003 alone. For every two people who die of
traumatic injuries, an estimated six are permanently
disabled.
Traumatic injuries increase the demand on
Wisconsin's healthcare resources. A fourth of all Emergency
Department visits are related to traumatic injuries. In 2002,
there were 934 injury-related hospitalizations per
100,000.
The state's economy suffers as well. Injury
causes more years of lost productivity than cancer and heart
disease combined. The estimated cost of motor vehicle crashes in
Wisconsin alone is $2 billion annually.
During the 1990s, national and state evaluations
of Wisconsin's trauma care data trained the spotlight on the
need for a statewide system of integrated trauma care. A system
approach will help ensure that traumatic injury patients receive
optimum care - from EMS dispatch through rehabilitation -
regardless of where they are located in the state.
Based on reported experience of states with
mature Statewide Trauma Care Systems, the Wisconsin System has the
potential to prevent up to 15% of injury deaths and save up to
650 lives in one year.
Integration of injury prevention activities
within the Regional Trauma Advisory Councils (RTAC) to DHS activities
Although the administrative rules for the trauma
care system direct the RTACs to develop and implement injury
prevention and education strategies based on performance
improvement findings, there has not been direction at the
department level to support the activities. Linkage to
Wisconsin's Injury and Violence Prevention program and the emerging strategic plan for Injury and
Violence Prevention has just begun. Trauma and EMS are also
reflected in the Violence and Injury Focus Area of the state's
evolving strategic health plan known as Healthiest
Wisconsin 2020: Everyone Living Better, Longer.
Return to Home page
Last Revised: October 31, 2011 |
