Impact of regionalization. The Orange County experience

J. G. West, R. H. Cales and A. B. Gazzaniga

Prior to the designation of a trauma system in Orange County, Calif, 73% of the in-hospital non-CNS deaths secondary to motor vehicular trauma were judged by the autopsy method to have been preventable. In June 1980, a regional system of trauma care with designated trauma centers was established in Orange County. We used the autopsy method to evaluate the first year's experience with this new system and compared the results with previous studies in Orange County for 1974, San Francisco County in 1974, and Orange County in 1978-1979. The results indicate a severe reduction in the number of deaths judged preventable. In addition, a more aggressive approach to the traumatized patient was noted as indicated by an increased percentage of patients who received appropriate surgical intervention.

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Registry based trauma outcome: perspective of a developing country
Zafar et al.
Emerg. Med. J. 2002;19:391-394.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Initial Management of Trauma by a Trauma Team: Effect on Timeliness of Care in a Teaching Hospital
Dodek et al.
American Journal of Medical Quality 2000;15:3-8.
ABSTRACT  

Consensus Report for Regionalization of Services for Critically Ill or Injured Children
American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Pedia and American College of Critical Care Medicine and Soc
Pediatrics 2000;105:152-155.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Relationship between the Volume of Total Hip Replacements Performed by Providers and the Rates of Postoperative Complications in the State of Washington
KREDER et al.
JBJS 1997;79:485-94.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Is There a Rationale for Regionalizing Organ Transplantation Services?
Sloan et al.
Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law 1989;14:115-167.
ABSTRACT