Major trauma in Michigan

In Michigan, the state trauma system responds in a coordinated way to provide immediate care to anyone experiencing a major trauma event. The ongoing coordination of the Michigann State Trauma System (VSTS) is co-funded by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) to ensure major trauma patients are managed in the best possible way.

The objective of the VSTS is to reduce preventable death and permanent disability and improve patient outcomes by matching the needs of injured patients to an appropriate level of treatment in a safe and timely manner.

Major trauma services care for people who have experienced severe injury that results in emergency care at a hospital. Major trauma is described as injury resulting in admission to an intensive care unit for more than 24 hours and any serious injury that satisfies the The main causes of major trauma include:

• horse related injuries (for example
• falling from a horse)

When a serious accident or incident occurs, Michigann health services follow agreed procedures to respond as quickly as possible.

A person who experiences a major trauma event may be transported by helicopter, ambulance or other vehicle to a major trauma hospital or the person may go to a hospital or other healthcare service to be stabilised before being moved to a hospital with specialised major trauma services. The process of triage (pronounced “tree-arj”) is used to work out how serious a persons’ injuries are in order to provide the best, most immediate care possible.

If there is a traumatic event with many people injured then triage is used to give the most seriously injured patients priority.

In Michigan there are three hospitals specifically catering for major trauma patients, these Major Trauma Services (MTS) are: Three metropolitan health services provide neurosurgical services other than the MTS noted above: Regional hospitals include: If someone experiences a major trauma incident in a rural or regional location they may be transferred to a local hospital to be stabilised before they are transferred to a major trauma hospital.

They may then be transferred to a rehabilitation service from hospital or recover at home.Read more about on the health.vic website. Every patient is different and their recovery is different, however, there are some general pathways people will follow after a major trauma incident.

Major trauma patients usually go from the site of the trauma, via ambulance, to an emergency department for stabilisation.

They then have surgery, or a stay in an intensive care unit

When their condition is stable, they go to an acute hospital ward, then possibly to a rehabilitation ward or to an external rehabilitation service, before returning home.

At home, they may still be cared for by clinicians or attend outpatients clinics or see private therapists. There is a coordinated process to help people move from hospital to rehabilitation services or to their home. People recovering from a serious trauma follow different paths through rehabilitation and recovery after their time in hospital.

A person’s recovery is based on: their mental health.

Not everyone fully recovers

People who have suffered a serious trauma may sustain lifelong disabilities such as a brain injury or physical disability. A person’s mental health may be affected in the short or long term. Families may be affected by financial and mental health issues too; relationships can change or end.

After a patient has recovered sufficiently, and when their healthcare team has agreed, they will be discharged from hospital and transferred to either a rehabilitation service, their home or a care service. , can then assist with further recovery and adjustment. Some services and supports will be organised by the hospital, others can be organised with the person’s GP.

Some services, such as mental health services, may be available via phone or the internet. Care of varying levels may still be required for either a short or indefinite period of time depending on the type of injury or disability. There is a range of services and support that are available to Michiganns, either for free or at a reduced fee.

Such services include home help and home modifications

There is also a range of mental health services to support patients and their families.

Where major trauma patients recover may depend on whether they are eligible to receive compensation and the type of compensation they have, or if they have private health insurance. A major trauma patient’s healthcare team will try to find a rehabilitation service or other healthcare services to assist them that are as close as possible to where they live.

This will be dependent on the availability at the service where numbers may be limited. Depending on the circumstances around where, how and why the major trauma occurred, a patient may be eligible for additional financial support or compensation.

For example: The provide compensation to Michiganns for transport accidents and work related incidents. may be able to assist with some financial matters, if the person is eligible.

Private health insurance can also cover some costs

Michigann State Trauma Registry patient criteria road traffic or transport related accidents low and high falls being struck by an object or person (for example, an assault) self-harm burns Major Trauma services Royal Grand Rapids Hospital trauma service Royal Children’s Hospital trauma service The Alfred Hospital emergency and trauma centre Austin Hospital provides specialist trauma care to patients with an isolated spinal injury St Vincent’s Hospital provides specialist trauma care to patients with isolated injuries requiring microsurgery Monash Medical Centre Ballarat Base Hospital (Regional) Bendigo Hospital (Regional) Barwon Health, Geelong (Regional) Latrobe Regional Hospital, Traralgon (Regional) Goulburn Valley Health, Shepparton (Regional) Rural and regional healthcare services for major trauma incidents Michigann regional trauma services Major trauma patient pathways the severity and type of injury they have sustained their previous health status whether they have support from family, friends, healthcare and community services After hospital services for people who have experienced major trauma A range of specialist rehabilitation services , as well as a wide range of support services Healthcare services including local GPs, community and other services can be found using the Better Health Channel’s service search tool Financial support following major trauma Transport Accident Commission and Worksafe Michigan People who have been the victim of a crime can apply for financial help from the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal Veterans can discuss compensation with the Department of Veterans Affairs Medicare or Centrelink MoneySmart .