Trauma care in Germany

• Published in: Injury Vol. 34; no. 9; pp. 674 - 683
• Main Authors: Westhoff, J, Hildebrand, F, Grotz, M, Richter, M, Pape, H.C, Krettek, C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2003
• Subjects: Accidents, Traffic - economics; Accidents, Traffic - mortality; Air Ambulances; Ambulances; Disaster Planning; Emergency Medical Services - economics; Emergency Medical Services - organization & administration; Germany; Germany - epidemiology; Health Care Costs; Humans; Insurance, Health - economics; Registries; Socioeconomic impact; Trauma care; Trauma Centers - organization & administration; Wounds and Injuries - economics; Wounds and Injuries - mortality; Wounds and Injuries - therapy; Germany; Socioeconomic impact; Trauma care; Germany
• ISSN: 0020-1383; 1879-0267
• DOI: 10.1016/S0020-1383(03)00147-5

Trauma Care in Germany fulfils all requirements to deal with injured young and mobile individuals as well as with an increasing number of injured elderly patient. Furthermore, it is prepared to cope with mass casualties of injured. As a public task the Trauma System in Germany is well organized and follows clear cut demands. To perform technical and medical therapy at highest available level as soon as possible, a ground system of physician staffed ambulances is supported by a network of physician-staffed HEMS all over Germany. Therefore, enormous efforts in financing, basic research and quality management have been undertaken during recent years to create such a sophisticated rescue system.