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PAPERS: Jon Nicholl and Janette Turner Effectiveness of a regional trauma system in reducing mortality from major trauma: before and after study BMJ 1997; 315: 1349-1354 [Abstract] [Full text]

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Some things need time

Alexander Siegmeth   (14 October 2000)

Some things need time 14 October 2000
Alexander Siegmeth, General Trauma Surgeon Trauma Centre, Vienna, Austria Send response to journal: Re: Some things need time	Dear Sir, I learned and work in a different Trauma Care System. Our system (as well as the German Trauma Care System) is based on the idea of the General Trauma Surgeon. He is capable of dealing with all types of injuries, from head to toe, from resucitation, diagnostics, acute surgical therapy, early to late reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation. He acts as the team leader in the acute setting and follows the severly injured patient through all surgeries and rehabilitation. In cases of complex injuries (heart, abdominal he works and operates together with the other organ specialist) We do not believe in "dividing" the multiple injured patient into his organs. "The well trained General Trauma Surgeon" treats multiple injuries better than a cohort of organ specialists. We do not know whether that system is better than others but is is worth trying also in other Trauma Systems Sincerely, Dr.Alexander Siegmeth