title: The availability of allograft skin for large scale medical emergencies in the United States.
abstract: Mass injury events present a unique medical challenge. Effective communications and coordination of resources including trained personnel as well as supplies and equipment are critical in these emergent situations. In the U.S., the availability of allograft skin plays a lifesaving role in treatment of burn injuries. Maintaining an adequate and readily available supply of this precious resource is critical for treatment of multiple injuries in the event of a national emergency. Allograft skin has historically been a local resource but contraction and consolidation of tissue banks has given rise to a small number of more nationally focused skin suppliers. While distinctly separate and essentially competing entities, these organizations come together in times of crisis to serve patients in need. Emergency preparations must include the ability to monitor and coordinate the capabilities of these organizations to supply lifesaving tissue grafts in times of national and global disasters.
authors: Community Tissue Services, 2900 College Drive, Kettering, OH, 45420, UK.
authors: Diane
authors: D
authors: Wilson
authors: Glenn
authors: G
authors: Greenleaf
mesh_terms: D064591:Allografts; D002056:Burns / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D002959:Civil Defense; D004630:Emergencies; D006801:Humans; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D014015:Tissue Banks / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D014021:Tissue Preservation; D014022:Tissue Survival; D014481:United States