Any parent who has endured the ordeal of getting an injured child to a hospital emergency room knows what medical experts have long advised: Distance from a hospital and a trained trauma staff play a significant role in saving lives.
The Arkansas House of Representatives understands, that in the category of preventive medicine, traumatic injury is the leading killer of people under the age of 44. Because Arkansas lags in the important distance-staff equation, we knew we had to do something to increase the probability of Arkansans and those visiting our state surviving a traumatic injury. That’s why the Arkansas General Assembly passed Act 393 of 2009, putting in place funding to directly impact individuals who have suffered a life-threatening, traumatic injury.
Trauma is any life-threatening event, either accidental or intentional, that causes injuries. The leading causes of trauma are motor vehicle accidents, falls, and physical assaults. The best way to treat trauma is through fast access to a statewide trauma system that can provide initial and stabilizing care, and with the establishment of a Level I trauma center providing more sophisticated diagnostics and specialty surgery.
Arkansas does not have a Level I trauma center. And we are among only three other states that do not enjoy the effective benefits and peace of mind that comes with a statewide trauma system. Those two national distinctions are about to change.
During the most recent legislative session, $25 million was appropriated to create a statewide trauma system. Of that $25 million, $20 million is immediately available. That’s the good news. The not so good news is that because Arkansas operates on a balanced budget, setting up the statewide system will take a little time. As more funding becomes available, the state will move quickly to make this opportunity of improved emergency care for all our citizens a reality.
When fully operational, a statewide trauma system and the ability to receive care from a Level I trauma center will mean quicker care and better quality care for those in need of immediate medical attention due to traumatic injury.
There is one aspect of healthcare where there is little debate, and that is the need to provide quick access to trauma care. Arkansas is moving rapidly towards providing that level of care. Our citizens deserve nothing less.
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Any parent who has endured the ordeal of getting an injured child to a hospital emergency room knows what medical experts have long advised: Distance from a hospital and a trained trauma staff play a significant role in saving lives.
The Arkansas House of Representatives understands, that in the category of preventive medicine, traumatic injury is the leading killer of people under the age of 44. Because Arkansas lags in the important distance-staff equation, we knew we had to do something to increase the probability of Arkansans and those visiting our state surviving a traumatic injury. That’s why the Arkansas General Assembly passed Act 393 of 2009, putting in place funding to directly impact individuals who have suffered a life-threatening, traumatic injury.
Trauma is any life-threatening event, either accidental or intentional, that causes injuries. The leading causes of trauma are motor vehicle accidents, falls, and physical assaults. The best way to treat trauma is through fast access to a statewide trauma system that can provide initial and stabilizing care, and with the establishment of a Level I trauma center providing more sophisticated diagnostics and specialty surgery.
Arkansas does not have a Level I trauma center. And we are among only three other states that do not enjoy the effective benefits and peace of mind that comes with a statewide trauma system. Those two national distinctions are about to change.
During the most recent legislative session, $25 million was appropriated to create a statewide trauma system. Of that $25 million, $20 million is immediately available. That’s the good news. The not so good news is that because Arkansas operates on a balanced budget, setting up the statewide system will take a little time. As more funding becomes available, the state will move quickly to make this opportunity of improved emergency care for all our citizens a reality.
When fully operational, a statewide trauma system and the ability to receive care from a Level I trauma center will mean quicker care and better quality care for those in need of immediate medical attention due to traumatic injury.
There is one aspect of healthcare where there is little debate, and that is the need to provide quick access to trauma care. Arkansas is moving rapidly towards providing that level of care. Our citizens deserve nothing less.
