Section 1797.198 Of Chapter 3.75. Trauma Care Fund From California Health And Safety Code >> Division 2.5. >> Chapter 3.75.
1797.198
. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) Trauma care is an essential public service. It is as vital to
the safety of the public as the services provided by law enforcement
and fire departments. In communities with access to trauma centers,
mortality and morbidity rates from traumatic injuries are
significantly reduced. For the same reasons that each community in
California needs timely access to the services of skilled police,
paramedics, and fire personnel, each community needs access to the
services provided by certified trauma centers.
(b) Trauma centers save lives by providing immediate coordination
of highly specialized care for the most life-threatening injuries.
(c) Trauma centers save lives, and also save money, because access
to trauma care can mean the difference between full recovery from a
traumatic injury, and serious disability necessitating expensive
long-term care.
(d) Trauma centers do their job most effectively as part of a
system that includes a local plan with a means of immediately
identifying trauma cases and transporting those patients to the
nearest trauma center.
(e) It is essential for persons in need of trauma care to receive
that care within the 60-minute period immediately following injury.
It is during this period, referred to as the "golden hour," when the
potential for survival is greatest, and the need for treatment for
shock or injury is most critical.
(f) It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this act to
promote access to trauma care by ensuring the availability of
services through EMS agency-designated trauma centers.