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211.490 Legislative findings concerning provision of trauma care.
The General Assembly finds that:
(1) Trauma is a severe health problem in this state and a major cause of death
and long-term disability;
(2) Trauma care is an essential public service;
(3) Trauma care is significantly limited in many parts of Kentucky, particularly in
rural areas where there is a growing danger that some communities may not
have adequate emergency care;
(4) It is essential for persons in need of trauma care to receive that care within
sixty (60) minutes immediately following injury, referred to as the "golden hour,"
for that is when the potential for survival is the greatest and the need for
treatment for shock or injury is most critical;
(5) Kentucky's emergency preparedness efforts require the establishment of an
efficient statewide trauma care system that can be mobilized to save the lives
of trauma patients who are victims of terrorism or natural disasters;
(6) Trauma centers save lives and money because access to trauma care can
mean the difference between full recovery and serious disability that requires
expensive long-term care and results in a loss of economic productivity;
(7) Regional preparedness planning has identified trauma care as a priority, and
some grant funding has been obtained to initiate trauma care planning;
(8) It is in the best interests of the citizens of Kentucky to establish an efficient and
well-coordinated statewide trauma system to reduce costs of medical care and
the greater economic impact of lost wages and productivity and to reduce the
incidence of inappropriate and inadequate trauma care and emergency
medical services; and
(9) Existing trauma centers are facing an increasing number of uninsured patients,
declining reimbursement, and rising malpractice insurance premiums that
threaten continued community access to trauma care. Therefore, financial
assistance is needed to support existing trauma centers and establish new
trauma centers.
Effective:July 15, 2008
History: Created 2008 Ky. Acts ch. 25, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2008.
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