@article{ref1,
title="Motor vehicle crash-related mortality is associated with prehospital and hospital-based resource availability",
journal="Journal of trauma",
year="2003",
author="Rue, L. W. and Cross, James M. and Maclennan, Paul A. and Abernathy, James H. and McGwin, Gerald and Melton, Sherry M.",
volume="54",
number="2",
pages="273-9; discussion 279",
abstract="BACKGROUND: To date, attempts to assess the relationship between motor vehicle collision (MVC)-related mortality and medical resources availability have largely been unsuccessful. METHODS: Information regarding sociodemographic characteristics, prehospital resources, and hospital-based resources for each county (n = 67) in the state of Alabama was obtained. MVC-related mortality rates (deaths per 1,000 collisions) by county were calculated and compared according to prehospital and hospital-based resource availability within each county after correcting for sociodemographic factors. RESULTS: Counties with 24-hour availability of a general surgeon, orthopedic surgeon, neurosurgeon, computed tomographic scanner, and operating room were shown to have decreased MVC-related mortality (relative risk [RR], 0.88). The same was true for those counties with hospitals classified as Level I-II (RR, 0.71) and Level III-IV (RR, 0.83) trauma centers compared with counties with no trauma centers. CONCLUSION: Appropriate, readily available hospital-based resources are associated with lower MVC-related mortality rates. This information may be useful in trauma system planning and development.",
language="",
issn="0022-5282",
doi="10.1097/01.TA.0000038506.54819.11",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.TA.0000038506.54819.11"
}