TraumaNetzwerk DGU (R). Trauma Network of the German Society for Trauma Surgery

Due to the initiative of the TraumaNetzwerk of the German Society for Trauma Surgery regional trauma networks were established in Germany and an organizational change in the care for multiply injured patients took place. The main objective is the improvement of trauma care by assuring minimal organizational, personnel, and structural requirements based on the White Book on the care for severely injured patients. By the end of 2012, all participating hospitals will be audited and all networks will be certified. The certification process takes an average of 36 months with seven meetings from registration to certification. This process is accompanied by 5 educational meetings with 76 participants. One fifth of all hospitals registered do not go through the whole certification process, so that a network consists of 15 hospitals in the end. Another important element of the TraumaNetzwerk DGU (R) is quality management; documentation in the TraumaRegister DGU (R) and regional quality circles are mandatory. Whether participation in the TraumaNetzwerk DGU (R) can influence or even improve the care for multiply injured patients will be shown on the basis of data of the TraumaRegister DGU (R).