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Beebe says trauma system priority Friday, Feb 29, 2008 Stephens Media FORT SMITH - Establishing a statewide trauma should be one of the state's highest priorities, Gov. Mike Beebe said Thursday. In Fort Smith to help dedicate Sparks Regional Medical Center's new emergency center, Beebe said funding for a statewide trauma system would not be on his agenda for a possible March special session to raise the state severance tax but would be a high priority in the 2009 regular session. Arkansas is the only state without a Level 1 trauma center, and one of three states without a statewide trauma center. The nearest Level 1 facility is in Memphis, Tenn. Officials told members of a legislative committee meeting in West Memphis this week that The Med, which treats hundreds of Arkansans annually, should help develop Arkansas' system. Funding for a proposed $25 million Arkansas system that was nearly universally acclaimed was one of the major pieces of unfinished business from the 2007 session. Lawmakers are already looking at funding options for consideration next year. In a statewide trauma system, emergency medical personnel would make assessments of a person at the scene of an injury and be able to know quickly through a communications network which hospital it is most appropriate for treatment. Dr. J. Michael Gruenwald, head of orthopedic trauma surgery at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and chairman of the Governor's Trauma Advisory Council, told state legislators late last year such a system could save up to 600 lives annually. Beebe's visit Thursday to Fort Smith was part of a weeklong series of events and celebrations of the completion of a 142,000 square foot, $40.4 million addition to Sparks hospital. |
