Governor Beebe Takes First Step Toward Creation Of Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK -- Governor Mike Beebe today released $200,000 from the Governor's Emergency Fund to assist development of the Arkansas Trauma System. Administered through the Arkansas Department of Health, the money will be used to enhance communication and coordination among hospitals and emergency medical services. "The cornerstone to any trauma system will be strong coordination and good communication," Beebe said. "We will see proposals in the next legislative session to fund the larger trauma network, but whatever we do, we need to do this first." Along with furthering coordination between hospitals and emergency responders, a statewide trauma registry will be established to identify future needs in trauma response as the overall system develops. "We will need hospitals throughout the state, big and small, to partner with the State to make an Arkansas Trauma System successful," Beebe said. "Our first responders play a vital role in saving lives and they will need a well-coordinated system to help their efforts succeed more often." Arkansas Surgeon General Joe Thompson reminded Arkansans that they still have the best chance of improving their own odds of surviving serious vehicle accidents. Between 2001 and 2006, 68% of people killed in Arkansas passenger-vehicle crashes were not wearing seat belts.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Trauma
• Unit
• Health
• Care
• Emergency