NATIONAL SURVEY OF STATE TRAUMA REGISTRIES - 1992

Registries, such as those for oncology, have demonstrated usefulness i n collating information. Trauma care can be improved through the accum ulation of local, regional, and state trauma statistics. The efforts t o develop a National Trauma Registry in the United States are still in their infancy. A four-page survey questionnaire was returned by each of the 50 State. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Directors, as well a s the EMS Directors of the District of Columbia and five American poss essions, to evaluate the status of state trauma registries in the Unit ed States. In 1992, 24 (48%) states had a registry. Development costs average $101,107 and annual maintenance costs averaged $72,105. An ave rage of 1.7 full-time equivalents (FTE) was necessary to maintain the registry. Fourteen (58%) states have effected legislation through the registry. Trauma prevention has been promoted in nine (38%) states and a decrease in mortality recognized through the registry in five (21%) states. Trauma registries are labor intensive and expensive but are e ffective in decreasing morbidity and mortality. The need for a Nationa l Trauma Registry incorporating and comparing data from health care fa cilities around the United States and its possessions has the potentia l of improving trauma health care.