| News from the American College of Surgeons For Release: October 12, 2009 |
Contact: Sally Garneski 312-202-5409 or |
AMERICAN COLLEGE OF SURGEONS CALLS PRESS BRIEFING
TO EXAMINE CURRENT STATUS OF U.S. TRAUMA CARE SYSTEM
Chicago: Most people assume that if they or a loved one fall victim to a serious accident, emergency medical care is readily available to them with one phone call to 9-1-1. No doubt that many of them would be surprised to learn that as many as 38 percent of the U.S. population may not even be covered by a statewide trauma system.
At a special press briefing on Tuesday, October 13, A. Brent Eastman, MD, FACS, a national leader in trauma surgery will examine the current state of trauma care in the United States. Dr. Eastman will discuss the compelling need to shore up trauma systems in all states to ensure optimal emergency preparedness for all U.S. citizens. A major focus of his remarks will be the growing crisis in access to trauma care in rural America, fueled in part by the growing shortage of general surgeons who take emergency trauma call in hospitals. Find out where the alarming gaps in trauma care lie, and what steps can be taken to call attention to the problem and to solve it. In fact, the trauma systems discussion addresses many issues in the current health care reform debate, including access to quality care.
| WHAT: | “Wherever the Dart Lands: Toward the Ideal Trauma System” Press briefing sponsored by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) during its 2009 Annual Clinical Congress |
| WHO: | A. Brent Eastman, MD, FACS Vice-Chair, ACS Board of Regents N. Paul Whittier Chair of Trauma, Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, CA, and Chief Medical Officer, Scripps Health |
| WHEN: | Tuesday, October 13, 2009 1:00 – 1:45 pm |
| WHERE: | American College of Surgeons Annual Clinical Congress ACS Press Conference Room McCormick Place Convention Center, WEST Building Level 3 – Near Exhibit Hall F Chicago, IL |
| HOW: | Reporters who present press identification should register at least 15 minutes in advance. Come to the Clinical Congress Press Room, located adjacent to the press conference room. Call 312-791-7020 for further information. |
SPECIAL NOTE: Dr. Eastman’s remarks during the press briefing will be highlights from a major lecture, the Scudder Oration on Trauma, which he will deliver before the American College of Surgeons at 11:30 am, in the Skyline Ballroom, W375 C, McCormick Place Convention Center. Reporters who have secured a press badge in advance are invited to attend Dr. Eastman’s speech as well as the 1:00 press briefing.
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Online October 12, 2009
Revised