FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2013

Contact: Communications Office
(850) 245-4111

TALLAHASSEE—The Florida Department of Health today announced its immediate implementation of some of the key recommendations outlined by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma systems consultation team. The ACS systems consultation team concluded its four-day assessment earlier this week and shared its preliminary recommendations to improve Florida’s trauma system during an exit presentation on Tuesday afternoon.

“The ACS systems consultation team confirmed the need for a broader view of Florida’s trauma system,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. “The Department’s rule workshops in areas that have trauma centers have been informative, yet the Department needs to hear from communities without trauma centers nearby as well.”

Today, the Department submitted notices for three additional workshops in March. The workshops will take place in Okaloosa County on March 8, 2013, Collier County on March 15, 2013, and Highlands County on March 28, 2013.

The Department will dedicate staff resources from its Office of Performance and Quality Improvement to the Office of Trauma to incorporate performance improvement processes into all aspects of the trauma program. In addition, the Department is working with the Florida Department of Transportation to request a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration EMS Reassessment. Further, the Department is moving forward with its implementation of the Next Generation Trauma Registry by conducting its final rule workshop on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013.

DOH protects, promotes and improves the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.