WHO launches Guidelines for essential trauma care
22 JULY 2004 -- The Guidelines for essential trauma care result from three years work by the Working Group for Essential Trauma Care, comprised of members of WHO and the International Society of Surgery and twenty other experts involved with trauma care across twelve countries. The guidelines contain a delineation of 11 essential trauma care services that the Working Group advocates every injured person worldwide could and should realistically be able to receive as well as a description of 260 items of human and physical resources that are needed to assure these essential services in the range of health care facilities around the world. They are intended to be part planning guide for those administering or providing trauma care services and part advocacy document to promote affordable improvements in trauma care globally. Officially launched during the 7th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion in June 2004, the Guidelines for essential trauma care have already been used for trauma care planning in Ghana, India, Mexico and Vietnam.