Subchapter E. TRAUMA CENTERS

§ 1001.81. Purpose.

 The purpose of this subchapter is to integrate trauma centers into the Statewide EMS system, by providing access to trauma centers and by providing for the effective and appropriate utilization of resources.

 To ensure that trauma centers are integrated into the Statewide EMS system, trauma centers in this Commonwealth shall:

   (1)  Maintain a dedicated telephone number to allow for access by referring community hospitals to make arrangements for the most appropriate and expeditious mode of transportation to the trauma center, as well as allow for direct consultation between the two facilities prior to transfer and during the course of treatment of the patient.

   (2)  Develop and implement outreach education programs to be offered to referring hospitals and emergency services dealing with management of major and multiple systems trauma patients and the capabilities of the trauma center.

   (3)  Develop and institute a system to insure the provision of patient outcome and treatment information to the referring facility on each patient referred by that facility to the trauma center.

   (4)  Maintain communications capabilities to allow for direct access by a transferring ground ambulance or air ambulance to insure that patient information and condition updates are available and medical consultation is available to the transferring service. The capabilities shall be in accordance with regional and Statewide EMS telecommunications plans.

 The Department will compile and maintain statistics on mortality and morbidity on multi-system trauma victims. This data collection shall be coordinated and performed in conjunction with other collection activities.