title: Are Australian and New Zealand trauma service resources reflective of the Australasian Trauma Verification Model Resource Criteria?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Australasian Trauma Verification Program was developed in 2000 to improve the quality of care provided at services in Australia and New Zealand. The programme outlines resources required for differing levels of trauma services. This study compares the human resources in Australia and New Zealand trauma services with those recommended by the Australasian College of Surgeons Trauma Verification Program.
  
  
  METHODS
  In September 2011, all trauma nurse coordinators in Australia and New Zealand were invited to participate in an electronic survey endorsed by the Australasian Trauma Society. This study expands on previous bi-national research and aimed to identify demographic and trauma service human resource levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-three surveys (78%) were completed and all 27 Level 1 trauma centres represented. Of the Level 1 trauma centres, a trauma director and fellow were available at 16 (51.8%) and 14 (40.7%) centres, respectively. The majority (93%) had a full-time trauma coordinator although a trauma case manager was only available at 14 (48.1%) of Level 1 trauma centres. Despite the large amount of data collection and extraction required, trauma services had limited access to a data manager (50.9%) or clerical staff (36.9%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Human resources in Australian and NZ trauma services are not reflective of those recommended by the Australasian Trauma Verification Program. This impacts on the ability to coordinate trauma monitoring and performance improvement. Review of the Australasian Trauma Verification Model Resource Criteria is required. Injury surveillance in Australia and NZ is hampered by insufficient trauma registry resources.
authors: Sydney Nursing School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Trauma Service, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors: Elizabeth
authors: E
authors: Leonard
authors: Kate
authors: K
authors: Curtis
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D006801:Humans; D009520:New Zealand; D010557:Personnel Administration, Hospital; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014193:Trauma Centers; D000078329:Workforce
keywords: Australia; health service; injury; staffing; trauma