The Palm Beach County Trauma System is recognized as one of the best systems in the nation and now serves as a model for the State Department of Health's plan to establish regional trauma systems throughout the State of Florida.

In 1999, the Palm Beach County Office of the Medical Examiner conducted a study of traffic fatalities, which occurred in Palm Beach County during 1995-1998. The findings show that while the number of traffic crashes increased by 20.7%, the number of traffic fatalities actually decreased by 11.0%. According to the Medical Examiner's report, this decline in fatalities is attributed to: "… the value of automobile safety system improvements and safety programs along with the excellence of Palm Beach County's Trauma System."

Palm Beach County’s Trauma System has been in operation since May 1991. The success of the Trauma System is due to the coordination of all of the system’s components: Enhanced 911 communication and dispatch system, EMS and Fire Rescue, “Trauma Hawk” air medical helicopter, two level II Trauma Centers and their rehabilitation centers. The quality of care delivered to every trauma patient is strictly monitored and reviewed by the Trauma Agency’s Quality Improvement Program.

Trauma Agency Annual Reports:

The following diagram illustrates how the Palm Beach County Trauma System works.
1. Motor Vehicle Crash Approximately 65% of trauma patients are injured in a vehicle crash.
2. Police/witness/victim determine whether victim needs medical attention and calls 911.
3. 911/Central Dispatch sends the nearest EMS unit to the scene.
4. Paramedics and nurses are in contact with the Trauma Center as they attend to the trauma patient prior to and during transport to the Trauma Center.
5. Trauma Hawk will transport the trauma patient to the Trauma Center if the ground ambulance is more than 20 minutes away from the closest Trauma Center.
6. Palm Beach County’s Trauma System has two Trauma Centers: Delray Medical Center in the south and St. Mary’s Medical Center in the north.
7. As a trauma patient, your care includes emergency surgery, 24-hour-a-day post-operative care, medications, physical therapy and rehabilitation.

Health Care District Administrative Offices:
324 Datura Street, Suite 401, West Palm Beach, FL 33401-5432
Tel: (561) 659-1270
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