e-Trauma Update
October 2015
You Could Be The Next Trauma System Designation Coordinator!
The statewide trauma system is accepting applications for a second designation coordinator to
oversee trauma hospital designations, coordinate and conduct site visits, and provide support and
assistance to designated trauma hospitals. This position offers the opportunity to travel frequently
and interface with hospital and EMS leaders throughout Minnesota. View and apply for the position.
Interested candidates can apply through the State of Minnesota’s employment website which
contains detailed information about the position. Inquiries can be directed to Tim Held, Deputy
Director of the Office of Rural Health and Primary Care, at 651-201-3868.
General Surgeons at Level 3 Trauma Hospitals Must Take ATLS or
CALS by January
In June 2014, the State Trauma Advisory Council (STAC) adopted several changes to the Level 3
trauma hospital criteria requirements. Most of those changes went into effect in July. But the final
change goes into effect on January 1, 2016.
The new criterion requires all general surgeons and pediatric surgeons who are caring for trauma
patients in a Level 3 Trauma Hospital to keep their Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) or
Comprehensive Advanced Life Support (CALS) training current. That is, either ATLS or CALS must
be successfully completed every four years regardless of the surgeon’s board certification status.
Classes fill early, so register now! View a listing of Minnesota ATLS classes or CALS classes.
Several STAC Positions to Open for Appointment
Six STAC members’ terms will end in January. Applications to fill those empty seats will be
accepted beginning in November. The four-year terms begin on January 4, 2016.
The STAC typically meet as a full council four times each year to advise the Minnesota
Commissioner of Health on a variety of matters related to improving trauma care across the state.
The following are the appointment categories that will open in November:
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A trauma surgeon certified by the American Board of Surgery or the American Osteopathic
Board of Surgery who practices in a Level 1 or 2 Trauma Hospital
A general surgeon certified by the American Board of Surgery or the American Osteopathic
Board of Surgery whose practice includes trauma and who practices in a designated rural
area as defined under section 144.1501, subdivision 1, paragraph (b)
A neurosurgeon certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery who practices in a
Level 1 or 2 Trauma Hospital
A trauma program manager or coordinator who practices in a Level 3 or 4 Trauma Hospital
A nurse practitioner, as defined under section 144.1501, subdivision 1, paragraph (h), or a
physician assistant, as defined under section 144.1501, subdivision 1, paragraph (j), whose
practice includes emergency room care in a Level 4 Trauma Hospital located in a
designated rural area as defined under section 144.1501, subdivision 1, paragraph (b)
A hospital administrator of a Level 3 or 4 Trauma Hospital located in a designated rural area
as defined under section 144.1501, subdivision 1, paragraph (b)
Watch your inbox in November for an e-Trauma Update announcing the opening of the application
period.
Proposed Change to Level 4 Designation Process
A proposal to change the Level 4 designation process to mirror the Level 3 designation process was
endorsed by the STAC at their September 2015 meeting. The council recommended that the
Commissioner of Health pursue the change in law.
Under the proposal, Level 4 Trauma Hospitals would apply for designation and undergo a site visit
before review by the STAC. After soliciting feedback about the proposal, no opposition was noted
and the proposal has thus far been unanimously supported by trauma system stakeholders. Read
more about the proposal’s benefits and challenges (PDF).
Proposed Change to Pediatrician STAC Member Qualifications
At their September 2015 meeting the Council recommended that the qualifications for the
Pediatrician member of the STAC be broadened to include pediatric surgeons and that the
appointee is trained in and practices pediatric trauma care.
At the inception of the trauma system there were no pediatric trauma centers. But now there are
several. And pediatric trauma surgeons are becoming more and more involved with the system;
however, the current legislative language does not permit them to be considered for the seat.
Any such change requires a statutory amendment.
SRMTAC Publishes New TPM Manual
The Southern Minnesota Regional Trauma Advisory Committee (SMRTAC) has recently completed
work on the Trauma Coordinator Orientation Manual for Level 4 Trauma Centers. The manual is a
great resource for new trauma program managers/coordinators and trauma medical directors,
whether they are new to their roles or have been at it for a while. Download your copy (PDF) today!
New Online Designation Application Launched; One training session
remains!
Level 3 and 4 trauma program managers should register now for an orientation to the new online
trauma hospital designation application. Paper applications are being retired. Instead, applications
for designation will be made using the new web-based tool. A new application created in the
electronic tool can be stored as an electronic profile so that it can simply be updated and
resubmitted when re-designation time rolls around. Prior site visit reports will also be readily
accessible to the hospital. It is expected to save hospitals and trauma system staff a considerable
amount of time.
The electronic application went live in August. Hospitals with designations expiring any time after
June 1, 2016 must submit their application electronically. But all hospitals can begin building their
profiles at any time.
A one-hour instructional webinar is scheduled for hospital staff that will be responsible for
completing the application on Wednesday, October 21 at 10:00 a.m. Register now! Additional
webinars will be scheduled in the future.
Registry Corner
Trauma Registry Ready for ICD10!
On October 1, 2015, hospitals across the state and nation transitioned from the ninth edition of the
International Classification of Diseases (ICD) to the tenth edition. Since the trauma registry data set
includes ICD codes, it too has made the transition to the new edition. Registrars entering trauma
data can now do so using either ICD-9 or ICD-10 codes. Trauma records with an admission date
between October 1, 2015 and December 31, 2015 may be entered using either code version.
Admission occurring after December 31 must be entered using ICD-10 codes.
After choosing to add a new incident to the state trauma registry, the registrar will be asked to select
either the ICD-9 or ICD-10 version of the trauma incident form.
Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming Events
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October 16: STAC Data Work Group Meeting, St. Paul
October 21: Online Designation Application Training, Webinar
October 23: Minnesota Trauma Registry Alliance Meeting, St. Paul
November 9: Southwest Minnesota Regional Trauma Advisory Committee Meeting,
Marshall
November 13: Minnesota Metropolitan Regional Trauma Advisory Committee Meeting, St.
Paul
December 8: Trauma Program Managers Networking Meeting, Shoreview
December 8: RTAC Leadership Forum, Shoreview
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December 8: State Trauma Advisory Council Meeting, Shoreview
December 10: Western Minnesota Regional Trauma Advisory Committee Meeting, Detroit
Lakes
December 10: Southern Minnesota Regional Trauma Advisory Committee Meeting,
Owatonna
December 10: Northeast Minnesota Regional Trauma Advisory Committee Meeting, Duluth
December 17: Central Minnesota Regional Trauma Advisory Committee Meeting, St. Cloud
View trauma system calendar of events