Access to trauma centers in the United States.
BACKGROUND
Previous studies have reported that the number and distribution of trauma centers are uneven across states, suggesting large differences in access to trauma center care.


OBJECTIVE
To estimate the proportion of US residents having access to trauma centers within 45 and 60 minutes.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study using data from 2 national databases as part of the Trauma Resource Allocation Model for Ambulances and Hospitals (TRAMAH) project. Trauma centers, base helipads, and block group population were counted for all 50 states and the District of Columbia as of January 2005.


METHODS
Percentages of national, regional, and state populations having access to all 703 level I, II, and III trauma centers in the United States by either ground ambulance or helicopter within 45 and 60 minutes.


RESULTS
An estimated 69.2% and 84.1% of all US residents had access to a level I or II trauma center within 45 and 60 minutes, respectively. The 46.7 million Americans who had no access within an hour lived mostly in rural areas, whereas the 42.8 million Americans who had access to 20 or more level I or II trauma centers within an hour lived mostly in urban areas. Within 45 and 60 minutes, respectively, 26.7% and 27.7% of US residents had access to level I or II trauma centers by helicopter only and 1.9% and 3.1% of US residents had access to level I or II centers only from trauma centers or base helipads outside their home states.


CONCLUSIONS
Selecting trauma centers based on geographic need, appropriately locating medical helicopter bases, and establishing formal agreements for sharing trauma care resources across states should be considered to improve access to trauma care in the United States.
Branas
Charles C
CC
Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia 19104-6021, USA. cbranas@cceb.med.upenn.edu
MacKenzie
Ellen J
EJ
Williams
Justin C
JC
Schwab
C William
CW
Teter
Harry M
HM
Flanigan
Marie C
MC
Blatt
Alan J
AJ
ReVelle
Charles S
CS
D017732:Air Ambulances / Q000600:supply & distribution; D000552:Ambulances / Q000600:supply & distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005843:Geography; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006755:Hospital Shared Services; D006801:Humans; D012041:Regional Medical Programs; D040841:Resource Allocation; D012424:Rural Population; D013997:Time Factors; D014187:Transportation of Patients; D014193:Trauma Centers / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D014481:United States; D014505:Urban Population