The more surgical trauma centers there are in an area, the lower death rates tend to be, according to a study that finds the density of trauma centers varies widely by state. The researchers used several sources to obtain state-level data on trauma admissions, trauma centers and SCC providers, SCC fellowship positions to train doctors, per-capita income, population size and mortality rates for 2013. Overall, they found there were just over 1.3 million trauma admissions, 2,496 SCC providers and 1,987 trauma centers across the country, including 521 Level I or II trauma centers. "There are lots of reasons why trauma services might be inequitably distributed," Metcalfe told Reuters Health by email. "These include whether local hospitals have the resources that are necessary to achieve trauma center accreditation, whether or not local trauma services are profitable, and difficulties recruiting trauma specialists to some areas."

Source: Fox News November 04, 2016 12:42 UTC