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Mississippi, a state traditionally known as a national leader in unhealthy statistics – obesity, infant mortality, diabetes and heart disease – will now be known as a leader for all the right reasons as it sets the standard nationwide in Trauma Care System development.

In a groundbreaking action, the Mississippi State Board of Health has implemented a comprehensive and fully funded trauma care plan that stands alone in its complex nature and serves as an example for other states. The system is based on a "play or pay" model in which hospitals that have the resources to participate as a designated Level I, II or III trauma center but choose not to will now be required to contribute funding to the system. Each hospital's participation potential will be determined by the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) through preliminary assessments and on-site inspections.

Currently there are only two Level I facilities that serve Mississippi – one of which is in Memphis. Only four hospitals in the state are designated as Level II. Under the new plan, hospitals have until October 1, 2008, to notify MSDH of their play-or-pay status.

"This comprehensive system will ensure that the trauma care services our citizens need receive adequate funding," said Mississippi State Health Officer Dr. Ed Thompson. "The 'play or pay' system will encourage participation in the trauma system and also provide the needed funding for those hospitals shouldering the burden of care for Mississippians affected by trauma."

Additional funding for the system will come from fines for certain moving vehicle violations, increased vehicle tag fees marked for trauma care and fees for all-terrain vehicle and motorcycle purchases.

Irresponsible or careless drivers will be hit the hardest under the new system.

"Sixty percent of traumatic injury in our state is caused by motor vehicle accidents, so those who abuse the speed limit and ignore moving vehicle laws and regulations will contribute a significant amount of money to the trauma system," said Dr. Thompson.

Fines collected for driving under the influence (DUI) will increase by $20, and those collected from careless and reckless driving will increase by $10. Fines collected from other traffic offenses will increase by $5. Additionally, a "stair step" fine will be instituted to charge an additional $10 for every 10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. Fees and fines collected from drivers are expected to generate nearly $14 million in funding a year.

Mississippi will soon have a complete picture of trauma complexity with the design of the new system, from injury detection and treatment to rehabilitation and prevention. Patients will now be monitored through the entire continuum of care beginning with the initial ambulance ride, to the emergency room and subsequent discharge from the hospital.

"Our objective is to provide the architecture for a trauma system that will initiate a decrease in morbidity and mortality from traumatic injury," said Jim Craig, MSDH Director of Health Protection. "Our goal is to reduce death and disability by identifying the cause of injury and promoting activities to prevent injury from ever occurring."
The agency – along with nationally recognized trauma surgeons and administrators – plans to evaluate the new system after one year to identify possible improvements or adjustments that might be needed.

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