The North West Hospital and Health Service (NWHHS) Trauma Review Committee celebrates 10 years of action this month.
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Director of Emergency Department and Chair of the Trauma Review Committee, Dr Ulrich Orda said the team was established in February 2009 to review care provided to trauma patients.
"We look at all trauma admissions to the NWHHS as well as some cases sent directly to Townsville from our catchment area by emergency services.
"We're essentially a multidisciplinary committee, that looks after the quality and safety of patient care, and by reviewing cases, we try and improve on care and processes," Dr Orda said.
A trauma patient is a person who has sustained a physical injury, caused by a force, such as a motor vehicle crash, violence or fall.
A major trauma patient is a person with multiple significant and/or severe injuries.
The Committee meets every month, and last year reviewed 32 major trauma admissions and many other significant trauma cases.
"Most major trauma cases are transport accidents, and another big category is falls, not always the elderly. Falls can be work related, industrial, mining, farming, construction," Dr Orda said.
Over the years, the committee has chalked up some major improvements and innovations.
"We have advocated for and provided supporting evidence for the helipads at Mount Isa and Cloncurry Hospitals, and made recommendations for purchase of equipment for trauma patients.
"We have put in place a Massive [Blood] Transfusion Policy which is reviewed regularly, and that has improved patient care when transfusions of large amounts of blood are required."
The Committee is comprised of members from different services across the health sector, including Royal Flying Doctor Service and Queensland Ambulance Service, and Dr Orda said this has increased communication across the services.
"The Committee has also built good relationships with our referral centres, such as the Trauma Service in Townsville HHS and Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane, and the Trauma Service Registry at Gold Coast University Hospital.
"Our review process means we are continuously improving the way we do things, with feedback from our partners."
The Committee will celebrate their 10th anniversary at the ED on Tuesday 26 March 2019, with a morning tea.
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