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A Tale of Two Cities: The Development of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery Between Baltimore and Milan

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Trauma Centers and Acute Care Surgery

Part of the book series: Updates in Surgery ((UPDATESSURG))

Abstract

Trauma is a pressing public health epidemic. Serious injury is the leading cause of death in the world and it is associated with a significant human and social burden in terms of disability, cost, and loss of productivity. The recognition of traumatic injuries as an addressable public health epidemic rather than unavoidable accidents has led to the evolution and expansion of trauma systems. Improved understanding of shock and resuscitation as well as general advances in diagnostic imaging and surgical techniques have greatly improved the survival of critically injured patients. However, their effectiveness is limited if they cannot be accessed rapidly. Trauma systems provide an organized approach to deliver rapid initial treatment, promoting optimal care along a continuum from prehospital care through rehabilitation. The implementation of a well-run trauma system for the management of severely injured trauma patients reduces mortality. Setting up a trauma system can be complicated. Financial, political, and logistic challenges must be overcome. A local champion can be invaluable to drive the process. Often, external support and advocacy will also be helpful, particularly if that person resonates locally, as well. This is a story of such a collaboration that has had huge impact on a major metropolitan area.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Shock Trauma Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Shailvi Gupta & Thomas Scalea

Authors
  1. Shailvi Gupta
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  2. Thomas Scalea
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Correspondence to Shailvi Gupta .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. General Surgery and Trauma Team, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy

    Osvaldo Chiara

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Gupta, S., Scalea, T. (2022). A Tale of Two Cities: The Development of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery Between Baltimore and Milan. In: Chiara, O. (eds) Trauma Centers and Acute Care Surgery. Updates in Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-73155-7_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-73155-7_1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-73154-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-73155-7

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