The Building Blocks to a Highly Effective Trauma Program

Abstract

Background: Well-developed trauma programs take years of planning, dedication, and commitment to the trauma population to achieve the desired outcomes and, even more, resilience and persistence to maintain a high-quality standard of care. Despite widespread trauma care systems across the nation and their link to improved outcomes for the trauma patient, there is a paucity of literature outlining the foundational elements required to evolve and grow a successful trauma program.

Objective: The purpose of this article is to outline the key elements for developing and maintaining a successful trauma program that yields high-quality patient outcomes.

Methods: Developing a program requires intense focus and continued efforts. Multiple foundational building blocks can facilitate program success and foster program growth.

Results: Foundational elements include leadership structure and support, building the right team, clinical expertise, trauma registry, program data, research, outreach and education, injury prevention, and ensuring adequate survey readiness. Building on these foundational elements, engagement of stakeholders at all levels throughout the program and organization can help drive program growth. Using these strategies, a program has been able to grow from 7.6 full-time equivalents to 24.4 in just a few short years while achieving, exceeding, and sustaining top metrics across state and national benchmarks.

Conclusion: A program can achieve sustainable, high-quality outcomes for the trauma patient by following a structured team approach to program development. Using the outlined building blocks for program development and sustainability, a successful trauma program can lead to improved patient and program outcomes.