Trauma verification

The Australasian Trauma Verification Program is a multi-disciplinary inter-collegiate process, developed through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), to assist hospitals to analyse their systems of trauma care. Trauma verification covers all phases of acute care from pre-hospital through to discharge.¹

Trauma verification is designed to assist trauma services in the evaluation and improvement of trauma care and identify the strengths and weaknesses of the hospital's trauma service. The program provides objective, external review of capability and performance by a multidisciplinary team of highly experienced trauma clinicians. Trauma verification is aimed at improving the quality of trauma care and does not designate which hospitals receive major trauma. In NSW designation is the role of the NSW Ministry of Health.^1,2

NSW Trauma Verification Program

Trauma verification is an integral component of the implementation of the NSW Trauma Services Model of Care. In a landmark agreement between the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), the NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI) Institute of Trauma and Injury Management and the NSW State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA), will help advance the trauma care patients receive, and provide an opportunity for NSW to become a national leader in the management of trauma care.

Under the agreement, all trauma centres managing injured patients in NSW will participate in the Australian and New Zealand (ANZ) trauma verification process over the next three years (2021-2023).

See full media release - 14 Apr 2021

Components of the verification program

Pre-review questionnaire

Each institution undergoing a Consultation or Formal Verification visit completes a pre-review questionnaire which details the strengths and weaknesses of the trauma services. The pre-review questionnaire allows the site review team to focus on those particular issues relevant to that service.³

Consultation visit

The objective of a Trauma Verification Consultation visit is to provide a constructive review of the trauma service and identify areas where the service would be unable to meet the criteria stipulated if undergoing Formal Verification. It can be used to improve the trauma service or as preparation for Formal Verification.³

Formal trauma verification visit

A team of five experienced reviewers conducts the site review for a Formal Trauma Verification visit and a two-three member team is required for a Consultation visit. The team is multidisciplinary, reflecting the broad range of clinical care required by the multiply injured patient. The team reviews the pre-review questionnaire with the key trauma service personnel on the evening prior to the visit, undertakes a detailed tour of the facility, meets key clinicians and hospital management and conducts medical chart reviews to verify the quality of trauma care being provided.³

Verification report

Each institution undergoing either a formal Trauma Verification visit or a Consultation visit receives a comprehensive written report, approved by the Trauma Verification Sub-Committee of the RACS. The report is sent to the authorising body and/or the trauma director and hospital administration.³

References

Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. "Trauma verification". http://www.surgeons.org/racs/fellows/interest-groups-and-sections/trauma/trauma-verification. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
NSW Department of Health (2009). Selected Specialty and Statewide Service Plans: NSW Trauma Services. Sydney: NSW Department of Health. pp. 48.
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (2009). The Australasian Trauma Verification Program Manual. Melbourne: RACS.