BACKGROUND: Delays in both inter-hospital trauma transfers and disaster response are common. We hypothesized patient flow could be improved by formal adoption of systems that improve cooperation and communication. METHODS: The regional trauma database of the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council for Trauma and the Regional Medical Operations Center (RMOC) database were queried to test the hypothesis. RESULTS: A total of 9507 trauma patients were transferred. Medcom resulted in decreased transfer process times. The RMOC was activated during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. During two 24-hour periods, the RMOC coordinated the inter-hospital transfer of 781 patients and the movement of thousands of evacuees and special needs patients. CONCLUSIONS: Medcom, an organized system combining a communications center with formal trauma center cooperation, improves patient flow and reduces trauma transfer times. The RMOC, based on the same principles of cooperation and communication, allows for rapid transfer of hospitalized and special needs patients during disaster/mass casualty situations.
BACKGROUND: Delays in both inter-hospital trauma transfers and disaster response are common. We hypothesized patient flow could be improved by formal adoption of systems that improve cooperation and communication. METHODS: The regional trauma database of the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council for Trauma and the Regional Medical Operations Center (RMOC) database were queried to test the hypothesis. RESULTS: A total of 9507 traumapatients were transferred. Medcom resulted in decreased transfer process times. The RMOC was activated during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. During two 24-hour periods, the RMOC coordinated the inter-hospital transfer of 781 patients and the movement of thousands of evacuees and special needs patients. CONCLUSIONS: Medcom, an organized system combining a communications center with formal trauma center cooperation, improves patient flow and reduces trauma transfer times. The RMOC, based on the same principles of cooperation and communication, allows for rapid transfer of hospitalized and special needs patients during disaster/mass casualty situations.
Authors: Justin W Timbie; Jeanne S Ringel; D Steven Fox; Francesca Pillemer; Daniel A Waxman; Melinda Moore; Cynthia K Hansen; Ann R Knebel; Richard Ricciardi; Arthur L Kellermann Journal: Ann Emerg Med Date: 2013-03-20 Impact factor: 5.721
Authors: Arielle C Thomas; Brendan T Campbell; Haris Subacius; Claudia P Orlas; Eileen Bulger; Ronald M Stewart; Anne M Stey; Angie Jang; Doulia Hamad; Karl Y Bilimoria; Avery B Nathens Journal: Injury Date: 2022-09-13 Impact factor: 2.687
Authors: Suck Ju Cho; Sang Min Sung; Sung Wook Park; Hyung Hoi Kim; Seong Youn Hwang; Young Hwan Lee; Jung Hong Cho Journal: Chonnam Med J Date: 2012-12-21
Authors: Derek Holder; Kevin Leeseberg; James A Giles; Sheyda Namazie; Andria L Ford; Jin-Moo Lee Journal: Stroke Date: 2021-06-22 Impact factor: 10.170