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TIEP Launches the Future of Trauma
Care Teleconference Series
In an effort to strengthen the connections between trauma programs across the United States,
the Trauma Information Exchange Program recently partnered with the Advisory Board Company to
host the first in a series of teleconferences on the future of trauma care.
Launched in December 2007, this inaugural teleconference first explores the impact of the
dwindling supply of trauma surgeons, higher call coverage costs, and insufficient reimbursement
rates on access to trauma care over the coming decade. These supply side considerations are
juxtaposed against the Advisory Board's projections for trauma care demand to highlight the
critical shortages in certain regions. Given the severity of the surgeon supply and call
coverage issue in many markets, this presentation focuses on efforts to increase the supply
of trauma surgeons through a variety of mechanisms, including increased salary levels, better
work schedules, and shifting more elective and emergent surgical cases to trauma surgeons. The
presentation concludes with a brief overview of the expanded use of bloodclotting agents, the
development of "flying ICUs", and other clinical innovations emerging from the military
engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan.
A distinguished panel of experts including Dr. Lenworth Jacobs (University of Connecticut), Dr.
John Fildes (University of Nevada), John Spearman (R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore)
and Heidi Hotz, RN (Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles) provided insight on a range of topics during the
two teleconference sessions. The audience for the teleconferences was equally diverse, consisting
of physicians, hospital executives, trauma program managers, as well as representatives of
pharmaceutical companies, facility design firms, and other organizations that support trauma programs.
The two sessions were well-attended, with over 80 participants for each call. In addition to finding
the data and expert testimony invaluable, participants provided ideas for upcoming teleconference
topics, including profiles of effective regional trauma systems and a more detailed examination of
the trauma call coverage dilemma.
To suggest ideas for future teleconferences, please contact the
TIEP Project Director. You can also contact Fred Bentley at the Advisory Board Company at
bentleyf@advisory.com with any questions regarding the presentations.
A copy of the slide presentation (in PDF format) can be found here.
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