NEWS

Delaware Trauma System celebrates 20 years

Jerry Smith
The News Journal
The Delaware statewide trauma system holds a 20th anniversary celebration at Legislative Hall in Dover.

Melanie Pertain believes the Delaware Trauma System is a model for the rest of the country for a couple of reasons.

As a registered respiratory therapist for the Christiana Care Health System, she gets to see each day how medical personnel in the system react to emergencies and, in many cases, save lives.

In 2013, Pertain was a recipient of that care when a car she and her family was traveling in was involved in a serious accident. She spoke about that day and the following weeks during an event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the system held Tuesday at Legislative Hall in Dover.

Pertain said swift action taken by first responders and the care she received throughout the trauma system after a drunk driver slammed into her car on Del. 202 – injuring her husband, 3-year-old son and 15-month-old daughter – was outstanding.

“I received tremendous care in the ER and then the OR after we were transported to Christiana Hospital,” said Pertain, who sustained a traumatic brain injury, trauma to her colon and broken bones in the accident. “My new mantra is ‘be grateful, not hateful.’”

Senator Bruce C. Ennis, of the Delaware General Assembly, makes remarks at the Delaware statewide trauma system 20th anniversary celebration at Legislative Hall in Dover.

Delaware has one of the nation’s few inclusive statewide trauma systems in which every acute care hospital participates. The state’s trauma system is credited with saving 1,319 lives and caring for 101,000 seriously injured people since 2000, which is nearly a 50 percent decrease in the mortality rate at the time. The state mortality rate is now consistently lower than the national rate reported by the federal National Trauma Data Bank.

“For a small state, we have made a huge statement,” said State Rep. Ruth Briggs King, R-Georgetown, during the ceremony.

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To increase the chance of survival and reduce the chance of permanent disability when someone is seriously injured, Delaware created an integrated, statewide trauma system 20 years ago that starts with the 911 call.

The Delaware General Assembly and then-Gov. Thomas Carper created the system via legislation in July 1996. Trauma caregivers statewide realized that if consistent care and uniform processes were adopted, deaths and the likelihood of injuries becoming serious disabilities could be prevented.

The Delaware Trauma System members include 911 Emergency Communications Centers, Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers of Basic and Advance Life Support, fire and police agencies, air medical transport, hospital emergency trauma teams, operating rooms and intensive care units.

“We are a great team,” said MarySue Jones, the State Trauma System coordinator. “Everybody has a passion for what they do. When you have a group of people who are devoted and motivated, it is easy.”

Karyl T. Ratty, MD, MS, Director Division of Public Health, makes remarks at the Delaware statewide trauma system 20th anniversary celebration at Legislative Hall in Dover.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Karyl Rattay, director of the state Division of Public Health, said seriously injured people have a much better chance of surviving now than they did 20 years ago because the state, first responders and hospitals are synchronized in their care and treatment of trauma patients.

“Together, we’ve made tremendous gains since the inception of this system,” she said.

Rattay also led a moment of silence for the men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty.

“They made the ultimate sacrifice and we should be grateful,” she said.

Marilynn K. Bartley, MSN, RN of Christiana Care Health System; Edward Alexander III, MD, FACS of Bayhealth Kent General Hospital, Steven D. Carey, MD, FACS of Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, Deborah Eberly, BSN, RN, ECN, CNML of Bayhealth Kent General Hospital, Linda Laskowski Jones, MS, APRN, ACNS-BC, CEN, FAWM, FAAN of Christiana Care Health System, Mary Sue Jones, RN, MS, State Trauma System Coordinator, OEMS, DPH, Ross Megargel, DO, FACEP, State EMS Medical Director, Stephen G. Murphy, MD, FACS of Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Glen H. Tinkoff, MD, FACS of Christiana Care Health System.

As part of the Delaware Trauma System, hospitals receive state designations as trauma centers. Christiana Hospital of the Christiana Care Health System is designated a Regional Level 1 Trauma Center. Nemours/Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington is designated a Pediatric Regional Level 1 Trauma Center, while there are seven community Level 3 trauma centers throughout the state.

“In 2000, we started with one Level 1 Trauma Center, three Level 2 Trauma Centers and three participating hospitals,” said Linda Laskowski Jones, vice president of Emergency & Trauma Services at Christiana Care Healthy system. “As I look back 20 years, what brings me the most gratification is we truly put the needs of the patients ahead of anything else.”

During the ceremony, 14 trauma system leaders were recognized for their 20 years of service. Delaware Sen. Bruce Ennis, D-Smyrna, also read a joint resolution recognizing the trauma system’s anniversary.

Contact Jerry Smith at jsmith17@delawareonline.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JerrySmithTNJ.