Minnesota Statewide Trauma System
About Minnesota State Trauma System

Mission

It is the mission of the Minnesota Statewide Trauma System to create a voluntary, inclusive network of currently trained and equipped trauma care providers throughout the state ensuring that optimal trauma care is available and accessible everywhere.

Vision

It is the vision of the trauma system that all Minnesota hospitals will participate in a fully-funded trauma system that:

• Is of the highest quality
• Is seamless across the continuum of care (prevention, care delivery, rehabilitation)
• Is safe, timely, efficient, patient-centered and patient-driven
• Uses outcome data and continuous quality improvement to evolve
• Allows many trauma patients to be treated in their own communities
• Eliminates all delays in transfers to definitive care
• Is embraced and valued by citizens and policymakers
• Is fully integrated into the disaster preparedness and public health systems.

Values

The values are such that all Minnesota hospitals will participate in a trauma care system that:

• Is based on obtaining the best outcomes for injured patients
• Is mindful of overall system costs and scarce specialist resources
• Is data-driven, with in-house trauma performance improvement programs that guide trauma care
• Includes a supportive environment, which allows for realistic, affordable and accessible site-based education
• Allows for existing referral patterns
• Believes that over-triage is better than under-triage.

What is a Trauma System?

A trauma system is a predetermined and organized response to managing and improving the care of severely injured people. It spans the continuum-of-care; from prevention and emergency care to rehabilitation. Best practices standards guide each stage of trauma care to ensure that injured people are promptly transported to and treated at facilities appropriate to the severity of their injury.

A trauma system also provides a foundation for disaster preparedness and response. As part of its day-to-day activities, a trauma system coordinates the movement and care of severely injured people. Thus, a trauma system expands and contracts based on the needs and resources available at the moment.

Why Have a Trauma System?

For a severely injured person, the time between sustaining an injury and receiving definitive care is the most important predictor of survival—the “golden hour.” The chance of survival diminishes with time, despite of the availability of resources and modern technology; however, a trauma system enhances the chance of survival regardless of proximity to an urban trauma center.

Fact Sheet

Minnesota State Trauma System Fact Sheet (PDF) January 2025

If you have questions regarding the statewide trauma system, please contact the trauma system coordinator.