Trauma Systems, Trauma Registries, and Prehospital Triage

Trauma systems are an integrated, hierarchical, and regionalized network of agencies, institutions, and resources aimed at full collaboration, trained, and dedicated to control, treat, and prevent deaths and permanent disability in a population, directly or indirectly related to trauma disease. The main objective of trauma systems is to maximize the effort and effectiveness of all human, material, and financial resources available. The main objective of trauma registries is to provide information for trauma systems, and that includes accurate and reliable information of the causes, circumstances, and type of injuries of the population. Access to trauma victims depends on various aspects. It will be defined by the existence of medical or paramedical services for emergency transport, type of transportation, hospital resources, and the number of victims. The flow plans and protocols will determine the referral of these patients to the definitive care. In multiple-casualty disasters, prehospital and field staff can use a simplified version of “simple triage and rapid treatment” (START). Using the “START,” patients will be classified into four groups of colors and priorities: red, yellow, green, and black. The great benefit of START is the accurate identification of severe patients who will benefit from efficient and expeditious transportation to the Specialized Trauma Centers, where victims would be assured of resources and better treatment care