Trauma systems--state of the art.

Trauma is an inevitable consequence of the lives we lead. There are many approaches to dealing with it but an ideal system, universally applicable, probably does not exist because of the national variations in social, economic, cultural and geographical characteristics. Many countries are beginning to recognise that the 'systems' they have in place for dealing with the burden of trauma are seriously deficient and that this situation cannot be allowed to continue into the new millennium. However, it is highly unlikely that in the near future. governments will suddenly find substantial extra finance for trauma care or the implementation of new systems. Throughout many countries, the individual components of trauma care systems are in place but, for whatever reasons, there is a lack of integration, which results in suboptimal care. The system we all should be aiming for is one of closer communication and greater cooperation. By taking into account community and national needs, available resources, and adapting what is currently in place it should then be possible to create 'a set of things working together as parts of a trauma mechanism'.