title: Evaluating potential spatial access to trauma center care by severely injured patients.
abstract: Injuries are a major public health problem around the world. Previous research has suggested that providing prompt access to specialized trauma center care may greatly improve the health outcomes of trauma patients. In this paper, a geographic information system (GIS) method is used to examine potential spatial access to trauma centers by individuals who were either hospitalized or died as a result of a major trauma. Overall, it was determined that 68.5% of individuals who suffered from a major trauma lived within one hour travel time of a Level I or II trauma center. In addition, major traumas resulting in death were found to have poorer potential spatial access to trauma center care than those that were admitted to hospital.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geography, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5A 1S6. flawson@sfu.ca
authors.forename: Fiona L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Lawson
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Schuurman
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Oliver
authors.forename: Avery B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Nathens
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D016208:Databases, Factual; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D061213:Mortality, Premature; D013997:Time Factors; D014193:Trauma Centers / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D014798:Vital Statistics; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*