Guidelines published in the January 23rd, 2009 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are the first ever trauma recommendations released. Designed to assure that severely injured patients are taken to trauma centers capable of handling their injuries, the revised guidelines also offer guidance on new technologies such as vehicle crash notification systems.
Developed by key trauma experts and the CDC, the guidelines are widely endorsed by multiple medical, surgical and EMS organizations. Research has clearly shown that survival improves by 25 percent when trauma patients receive care at a Level 1 trauma center. The new recommendations provide a decision making framework that will improve the chances of survival for severely injured patients.
Copies of the report, additional information, and related information including a users guide, posters, and pocket cards of the decision scheme are available on the CDC Web site at: www.cdc.gov/FieldTriage.
