Trauma care critical for all

Dr. Donald Barker
March 13, 2007

Chattanooga Times Free Press

Every year, thousands of Tennesseans depend on the state’s trauma care system to save them from severe, lifethreatening trauma injuries. And even though they may work or attend school or church with someone who received care at one of Tennessee’s 10 trauma centers, most people are unaware of the extensive medical treatment these centers are prepared to administer 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

At a moment’s notice, trauma centers can activate a network of specialized resources — both personnel and equipment — to treat victims of motor vehicle crashes, falls, industrial accidents, burns/ explosions, acts of violence, boating accidents or other traumatic incidents. Specialized physicians and nurses, surgeons, operating rooms and state-of-the-art equipment are a few of the necessities that are on constant standby, and distinguish a trauma center from a basic emergency room.