Operational Plan 2003 - 2008

Purpose

This five-year plan will guide the organization, planning, implementation, and evaluation of the Lake Superior Regional Trauma Advisory Council (RTAC) activities from 2003 to 2008.  A One-Year Budget will be submitted as the Council proceeds.  A Needs Assessment will also be forthcoming.

Overview

Lake Superior RTAC consists of the following Wisconsin counties:  Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas, Iron, Sawyer, Washburn, and affiliates Burnett and Price counties.  All regional healthcare entities in these counties and other concerned individuals have an interest in organizing and improving trauma care within this specified region of the State.  This is accomplished under the direction of the Wisconsin State Trauma Advisory Council (STAC).  The lead agency is the Department of Health & Family Services (DHFS) - WI Bureau of EMS & Injury Prevention (EMS&IP).  

This region is unique because of the geographical rural location.  The referral patterns, to the nearest trauma centers, involve two northeastern Minnesota hospitals.  The Lake Superior RTAC will serve as the unifying foundation to bring together all local, county, regional, state, federal, and other agencies for the planning, education, training, and prevention efforts needed to assure the exemplary care of needed pre, acute, and post injury for all persons in this region.

The primary purpose of Lake Superior RTAC is to design, implement, and evaluate a trauma system within our region that is data-based, confidential, and sensitive to the needs and limitations of the population served. The regional plan will incorporate pediatric and specialty issues. This will be accomplished within the scope of Wisconsin’s State Trauma Plan and State Guidelines.

Background

 

Traumatic injuries are the leading cause of death and disability among people between the ages of one and 44.  Injury is the fourth leading cause of death overall and is recognized as a major public health problem in Wisconsin and across the nation.  Wisconsin recognizes the need to improve trauma care and injury prevention, and the importance of implementing an inclusive, comprehensive trauma system that integrates all components of trauma care. 

A Trauma Care System is defined as a continuum of care from initial injury detection through definitive care, including rehabilitation and injury control.  It provides a comprehensive approach to triage, treatment, transport, and definitive care of major trauma victims.  The American College of Surgeons (ACS) defines a trauma system as being composed of four primary components: 

¨      Access to Care

¨      Out-of-Hospital Care

¨      Hospital Care

¨      Rehabilitation

An optimal trauma care system is an inclusive system that integrates every health care provider and facility.  An inclusive system recognizes not only severely injured patients and the facilities that can care for them; but also the significance of other hospitals that care for the majority of injured patients.  This will result in every patient receiving optimal care from the initial recognition of the injury through return to the community.

WI 1997 Act 154 resulted from a decade of activity, culminating in the creation of a Statewide Trauma Advisory Council and Wisconsin’s Trauma Care System Plan Report.  The goals of Wisconsin’s Trauma Care System Plan are to match regional resources with the needs of the injured patient.  This in turn, will provide optimal care, reduce mortality and morbidity, and return patients to the highest level of function.

Needs Assessment

      A Needs Assessment will be forthcoming.  When completed, this may show other areas that need further study and attention.  Initially, broader goals and objectives will be adopted.  Later, more specific regional needs may be identified and addressed.

Plan Development

      Mission

            Lake Superior RTAC is dedicated to design, implement, and evaluate a regional trauma system that is data-based, confidential, and sensitive to the needs, limitations, and resources of this area.  It is intended that this will optimize the quality of care and outcomes for all trauma patients.  This includes injury prevention, reducing the severity of injuries, and decreasing the number of deaths.

      Goals

1.      Identify regional needs and resources in collaboration with all regional healthcare providers and related agencies.

2.      Develop and implement a Regional Trauma System.

3.      Develop and implement a Performance Improvement Plan based on regional needs.

4.      Integrate pediatric emergency care into all delivery systems.

5.      Increase public awareness of trauma, education, and regional resources.

6.      Provide a coordinated regional system for Out-of-Hospital care delivery and transport under various conditions.

7.      Provide Definitive Care to all injured persons at the nearest appropriate facility.

      Objectives

1.      Complete a Regional Needs Assessment.

2.      Design a Five-year Operational Plan and One-year Projected Budget.

3.      Improve available data and evaluation of care / systems concerns.

4.      Integrate pediatric EMS education/resources to all Services and related agencies.

5.      Assign subcommittees to accomplish goals and objectives.

6.      Document monthly agendas, minutes, and Annual Report to EMS&IP.

      Membership and Structure

1.      Membership is inclusive to all hospitals in the 8-county area, two trauma referral facilities in MN, trauma surgeons, emergency physicians, EMS medical directors, EMS educators, EMS providers, Trauma coordinators, EMS coordinators, hospital administration, air medical transport, nurses, firefighters, law enforcement, dispatchers, public health, county emergency management, and other interested parties.

2.      Monthly meetings will be held at a central location.  Agenda and meeting minutes will be sent at the appropriate times via postal or Email.  Email is preferred by the membership.

3.      RTAC Officers are required by the State to be from WI.  This is because there is also membership from Minnesota and Michigan.  Officers will have rotating 3-yr terms.  Offices are:

¨      Chair

¨      Vice-Chair

¨      Secretary / Treasurer

4.      Executive Council consists of 19 members representing: Trauma Surgeon, EMS Medical Director, PI Coordinator, EMS Educator, Trauma Coordinator, EMS Coordinator, EMS Provider, ED Nurse Manager, Director of Nursing, Paramedic, Firefighter, Hazmat, Dispatch, County Emergency Management.

5.      Coordinating Facility is Memorial Medical Center in Ashland, WI.  Contact person is Karen Hansen, RN, CDON.

6.      Sponsoring Facilities are SMDC in Duluth, MN and St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth, MN.  Both are regional trauma referral facilities for this region.

7.      Subcommittees have been organized.  They are as follows:

 

¨      Regional Needs Assessment

¨      Performance Improvement

¨      Pediatric EMS Integration

¨      Out-of-Hospital Care / Mass Casualty

¨      Definitive Care

¨      Community Education / Injury Prevention