A nation divided over health care? N...( CHICAGO (October 3 2007) Americans ...),Health

CHICAGO (October 3, 2007) Americans may be sharply divided in their views on many aspects of health care in the United States, but they are in strong agreement when it comes to one of the most important but overlooked elements a nationwide trauma system. According to results of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) new "On the Table" voter survey, 75 percent of voters support the establishment of a nationwide trauma system - including strong majorities across all political parties (86 percent of Democrats; 73 percent of Independents; and 63 percent of Republicans).

Its clear that Americans understand the benefits of a well-coordinated trauma system. If a patient is seriously injured, they are 25 percent more likely to survive if they are treated at a verified trauma center, said Thomas R. Russell, MD, FACS, executive director of American College of Surgeons and adjunct professor, Department of Surgery at Northwestern University Medical School. ACS has a proven model recommended by the Institute of Medicine that we know is effective at delivering the best results. The next step is for Congress to help make this happen in all states, not just a few.

According to the survey, almost half of voters (46 percent) believe their own states are prepared for an emergency situation, but half (50 percent) do not believe the nations trauma centers are prepared to handle large-scale medical emergencies. ACS is currently working in cooperation with other trauma experts to develop a more comprehensive set of criteria and evaluation to assess the nations trauma system preparedness.

The nations trauma system infrastructure is a patchwork quilt it is underfunded, highly fragmented and ill-prepared to handle manmade or natural disasters, Dr. Russell said, adding that we need a comprehensive effort to shore up America's trauma care resources and fix problems that can threaten the health and lives of people in the midst of a crisis."

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