News: Trauma centers available for children

Roughly 80% of U.S. children live within 30 miles of a level I or II center, while 88% live within 30 miles of a level I, II or III center, according to a recent study from the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

However, only 57% of the nation's 74 million children lived within 30 miles of a pediatric trauma center. “More children die of injury each year than from all other causes combined,” the report states, adding that while most children get care in hospital emergency departments many lack appropriately sized equipment.

Pediatric trauma centers have a lower mortality risk compared to adult trauma centers and other facilities, some studies found, and the GAO suggests that more information may be needed on outcomes other than mortality.

ACDIS member J. Douglas Campbell, MD, FAAP, MHA, CDI physician advisor at Wolfson Children’s Hospital/Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville, Florida, is currently seeking additional information related to clinical documentation improvement efforts for pediatric trauma cases and recently posted to the ACDIS Forum looking for assistance. For additional information, email Doug.Campbell@bmcjax.com.