Neurotrauma care and the neurosurgeon: a statement from the Joint Section on Trauma of the AANS and CNS.
The AANS and CNS support the concept of organized neurosurgical trauma care consisting of the appropriate combination of prepared communities and institutions and of adequate numbers of committed neurosurgeons. Furthermore, we support the guidelines of the ACS regarding institutions designated to receive trauma patients, and support the concept of prehospital triage of trauma victims based upon well-trained EMS personnel guided by criteria selected by the local neurosurgical community. We support audit systems that include neurosurgeons to assess and improve the quality of neurotrauma care. By using the principles outlined above, neurosurgeons can plan, support, and evaluate whatever system their community or region requires for the optimal care of the neurotrauma patient.
Pitts
L H
LH
Department of Neurological Surgery, San Francisco General Hospital, California 94143.
Ojemann
R G
RG
Quest
D O
DO
D006287:Health Planning Guidelines; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D009493:Neurosurgery; D010348:Patient Care Team; D014193:Trauma Centers; D020196:Trauma, Nervous System; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000628:therapy*