Resolution
Resolution Title: Support of Creating a Global Trauma
System
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Whereas,
Injuries are the leading cause of death and disability between the ages of 1-44 in the US (Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention); and
Whereas,
Emergency Nurses are usually the first health care professional to have contact with the patient in
the emergency department; and
Whereas,
Trauma care requires timely response and adequate hospital resources, including both personnel
and equipment, for a continuum of care from pre-hospital through rehabilitation. A trauma system
will aid in ensuring a coordinated response for victims of injury and will result in more timely
responses. This includes cost-effective treatments and improved outcomes. A functioning trauma
system will provide consistency in care for trauma patients; and
Whereas,
Trauma patients have better outcomes when taken to trauma centers (Hill, 2013); and
Whereas,
Rural trauma patients have statistically, by far, the worst outcomes, having many more challenges
to timely access to care due to difficulties presented by distance, communications, and availability
of resources (Hill, 2013); now, therefore, be it
Resolved,
That ENA support the development of a national trauma system across the continuum of integrated
care, including injury prevention; and
Resolved,
That ENA express such support through a new, updated or revised position statement and be
actively engaged in supporting this endeavor.
Background Information:
ENA has previously approved a Position Statement entitled “Access to Quality Health Care” which references trauma
care systems.
There already exist several organizations that have networks of information and resources available that could be
invited to collaborate and network with the ENA to share all resources. For example, Indiana started one of the most
resonant and robust philanthropic entities in the world through the Indiana Grantmaker’s Alliance and the Indiana
Community Foundations (Indiana Grantmakers Alliance - Networking, 2014) through grassroots as well as top-down
networking and development.
Another organization that could be invited to collaborate is Sigma Theta Tau. Sigma Theta Tau “Global Honor
Society in Nursing” was formed by five separate nurses in Indianapolis, Indiana and has become the GLOBAL honor
society in nursing, diverse, yet functional, speaking many languages from many points of light around this globe, yet
networking for research and collaboration among all bright “Points of Light” nurses worldwide.
A third organization that could be invited to collaborate is the Indiana Rural Health Association. Indiana has the
largest Rural Health Association in the entire United States. (Indiana Rural Health Association, 2014)
2014 General Assembly
Resolution
Resolution Title: Support of Creating a Global Trauma
System
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Relationship to ENA Bylaws, Mission, Vision and Strategic Initiatives:
The purpose of this resolution is to bring to the forefront and to focus attention on the need for the creation of a
global trauma system. A previous ENA Position Statement entitled “Access to Quality Health Care” which was first
approved by ENA board of directors in 1988, and underwent a last revision and approval in December 2010
references trauma care systems. The relevant quote from the position statement’s Section 3 reads: “Regionalized,
coordinated, and accountable emergency and trauma care systems must be developed throughout the nation. . .”
Financial Considerations:
References:
Emergency Nurses Association. (2009). Emergency Nurses Association letter responding to the United States
Department of Health’s request for information relevant to the regionalization of emergency medical care delivery
systems and demonstration model development. Retrieved from
http://www.ena.org/government/policystatements/Access/Documents/FR%20-%20Regionalization.pdf
Indiana Grantmakers Alliance - Networking. (2014, February). Retrieved from Indiana
Grantmakers Alliance : http://www.indianagrantmakers.org
Indiana Rural Health Association. (2014, February). Retrieved from Indiana Rural Health
Association: http://www.indianaruralhealth.org/irha-programs/about-us/
Injury Prevention and Control. (2014, February). Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/injury/overview/leading_cod.html
Hill, U. o. (2013, April 16). PCORI Scientific Program Area: Addressing Health Disparities.
Retrieved from Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute:
http://www.pcori.org/assets/PCORI-Addressing-Disparities-Topic-Brief-10-0416132.pdf
Authors:
Meredith (Merry) Addison MSN, RN, CEN, FAEN
Supporters:
Indiana ENA State Council, Cheryl Riwitis, RN, president
Thelma Kuska, RN, FAEN
Wendy Hums, MSN, RN, CEN
2014 General Assembly