Trooskin SZ, Faucher MB, Santora TA, Talucci RC. Consolidation of trauma programs in the era of large health care delivery networks.
THE JOURNAL OF TRAUMA 1999;
46:488-93. [PMID:
10088857 DOI:
10.1097/00005373-199903000-00026]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To review the development of an integrated trauma program at two separate campuses brought about by the merger of two medical-affiliated hospitals, each with an integrated program and a common trauma administrator, medical director, and educational coordinator. Each campus has an associate trauma medical director for on-site administrative management, a nurse coordinator, and a registrar. The integration resulted in a reduction of 1.5 full-time equivalents and "cost" savings by consolidated use of the helicopter, outreach, prevention, research, and educational programs. Regular "integration meetings," ad hoc committees, and video-linked conferences were used to institute common quality improvement programs, morbidity and mortality discussions, policies, and clinical management protocols. Reaccreditation by an outside agency, elimination of duplicated services, and maintenance of pre-merger clinical volume results.
CONCLUSION
This integrated trauma program may serve as a model in this era of individual hospitals merging into large health care delivery networks.
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