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Trauma Registry Definition: Trauma Registry (TR) is a detailed compilation of data obtained by researching health records of acute trauma patients. TR’s are developed at the institutional, local, state, and national level. The required data is decided by the institution and/or the state registry. The collected data is categorized and distributed to support research in trauma, community awareness programs, injury prevention, and promote legislative initiatives related to public health and safety (Protetch & Chappel, 2008) (Walters, Huehl, & Fuller, 2006). History: Accidental Death and Disability: The Neglected Disease of Modern Society was published in 1966(The White Paper, 2010). This publication highlighted the trend of increasing number of traumatic injuries in the United States (US), and was the stimulus behind the start of our formal EMS system. In 1969, the first computerized TR in the US was initiated at Cook County Hospital, Chicago, Il. The first state trauma registry was formed from the Cook County Registry in Illinois. The current number of state trauma registries is 32 (Mann et al., 2006). The National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) was created by the American College of Surgeons (ACS), and is a repository for data retrieved from the health records of acute trauma patients. The health information of trauma patients stored in the NTDB numbers greater than 1,000,000 health records. The NTDB publishes a report describing every year’s trauma patients’ demographic information, description of injuries, and their outcomes (American College of Surgeons, 2011). There are four levels of trauma centers. Level I is the most appropriate facility for any trauma patient. A Level I trauma center should provide definitive trauma care and also be proactive in community education to prevent trauma. A Level II trauma center must receive and stabilize trauma patients within their capabilities and resources. A Level II trauma center may be required to transfer the patient to a Level I trauma center for a higher level of care. Level III trauma centers are often located in geographically isolated area, and must have a general surgeon available. Level III trauma centers often have prearranged transfer agreements with Level II or Level I trauma centers. A Level IV trauma center is required to provide trauma patients with the most appropriate, current therapy within their capacity. They can have prearranged transfer agreements with trauma centers that can provide a higher level of care (AHD). Purpose of Trauma Registry: According to Nwomeh, et al, an accurate trauma registry can identify and collect data that leads to a more coordinated approach when caring for a trauma patient (Nwomeh, et al., 2006). TR identifies common mechanisms of injury, promotes injury prevention, provides researchers with a compilation of statistics related to acute trauma care, and reviews financial statistics to improve care for increased institutional reimbursement. Process of Acquiring Information: Trauma registrars are vital trauma team members that are responsible for the maintaining and updating of the trauma registry. The data entered must be accurate, and at least 80% of data should be recorded within a 60 day time frame. There is not an education, registry, or license prerequisite to become a trauma registrar. Once a registrar, they must complete an entry level instruction. Four hours of continuing education is recommended by the American Trauma Society’s Trauma Registry Council (ATSTRC). Trauma registrar course work is available through the ATSTRC. The ACS offers testing to allow a registrar to become a Certified Specialist in Trauma Registry (Surgeons, 2007). A trauma registrar’s duties may include proper identification as well as classification of a trauma patient, ICD coding, and scoring the extent of the injuries. They enter this information into a registry database. The trauma registrars are also responsible for follow-up with the patients to identify and record their treatment and outcomes, identify when performance improvement would be beneficial, and participate in public outreach programs. Trauma registrars must receive continuing education to remain current on innovative trauma techniques, updated coding, and current legislature. The data reported is decided by the governing body, and it must be accurate and current to be of value for research. Some states require only certain facilities report the requested trauma data, while other states require every hospital to submit trauma data (Mann, et al., 2006)(Surgeons, 2007). All health information that is collected must never identify the identity of the patient. Information is collected from an assigned, random name that allows for anonymity. The data is collected from the prehospital record, the emergency room records, admission records, rehabilitaion records, and follow-up. Summary: The TR is a vital piece of the puzzle in trauma prevention and trauma care. TR allows for researchers to identify the best, most cost efficient, and appropriate care to trauma patients. The trauma registrar must be a team member who is thorough, able to multi-task, and work in an organized, timely manner to report data rapidly and effectively. A national databank is the clearinghouse for collected data to be used for prevention and treatment of trauma.

References: Protetch, J., & Chappel, D. (2008). Trauma registry data validation: Building objectivity. Journal of Trauma Nursing, 15(2), 67-71. Nwomeh, B., Lowell, W., Kable, R., Haley, K., & Amah, E. (2006). History and development of trauma registry: lessons from deveeloped to developing countries. World Journal of Emergency Surgery, 1, 32-32. Walters, M. R., Huehl, S., & Fuller, K. (2006). Throught the looking glass: 21st century trauma registry innovations. Journal of Trauma Nursing, 13(3), 118-121. (American College of Surgeons: Trauma Programs: NTDB, 2011) The White Paper. (2010, August 30). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 00:00, April 23, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_White_Paper&oldid=381863559 Surgeons, A. C. O. (2007). Resources for optimal care of the injured patient 2006. AHD. (n.d.). Profile definitions and methodology. Retrieved from http://www.ahd.com/definitions/prof_acscot.html National Trauma Data Bank. (2012, April 4). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 01:01, April 24, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=National_Trauma_Data_Bank&oldid=485489043 American College of Surgeons. (2012, February 1). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 01:02, April 24, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_College_of_Surgeons&oldid=474368351 Trauma center. (2012, April 20). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 01:12, April 24, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Trauma_center&oldid=488310410