FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, July 26, 2006
CONTACT: Barb Buhler, Department of Health, 773-3361 or Brooke Bohnenkamp, Department of Public Safety, 773-3178
Gov. Rounds announces development of Trauma System
PIERRE – Gov. Mike Rounds today announced the establishment of a trauma system planning team to coordinate services throughout South Dakota. The Departments of Health and Public Safety have worked with healthcare facilities statewide to establish the Trauma Systems Development Steering Committee.
The team will work to enhance the existing system by developing a coordinated statewide response network that will include information on all local facilities and their capabilities to care for seriously injured patients. The trauma system will streamline the movement of injured individuals from an accident scene to an emergency care center that can most effectively respond to the victims needs.
“The goal of a trauma system is to save lives. That is accomplished by more quickly getting people who are seriously injured to the right level of care,” said Gov. Rounds. “At the scene of an incident, emergency personnel will determine what level of care is necessary and directly transport the victim to the nearest facility that can meet the need.”
Gov. Rounds went on to say, “Without a trauma system in place, patients might first be taken to a hospital that doesn’t have the right level of care, receive an examination, and then be sent on to a facility better suited to treat them.”
The state’s Trauma Systems Development Steering Committee will hold its first meeting next month. The members represent hospitals, the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations, the South Dakota State Medical Association, and Indian Health services.
Trauma is the leading cause of death in the state for people ages 1 to 44.
Committee members are listed below.
Tom Dravland, Secretary of the Department of Public Safety
Doneen Hollingsworth, Secretary of Health
Robert Allen, MD, Rapid City
Cindy Baldwin, RN, Sioux Falls
Randy Bury, Sioux Falls
Rebekah Cradduck, Sioux Falls
Gordon Dekkenga, Yankton
Mary Lynn Eagle Staff, RN, MSN, Aberdeen
Clara Johnson, RN, Sioux Falls
Shaye Krcil, RN, Rapid City
Jean Reed, Sioux Falls
Stephan Schroeder, MD, Miller
David Strand, MD, Sioux Falls
Patrick Tibbles, MD, Rapid City
Gary Timmerman, MD, Sioux Falls