Dissemination of an interactive mapping application for trauma systems planning

Background: The American Trauma Society's interactive web-based trauma mapping tool represents a novel approach to emergency medical systems planning. This web-based application calculates population access to a Trauma Center (TC) and provides a visually representative map demonstrating TC access by ground or air ambulance.

Objective: To demonstrate the change in web use and in access to trauma care associated with the application's dissemination campaign.

Methods: Our campaign from 5/1/06-11/30/06 consisted of 7 national presentations, 2 national mailings, and 4 national media spots. Web use was defined by number of web hits, visits, and page-views. Trauma system change was defined as number of TC, number of helicopter depots (HDs), and population access to trauma care. Linear regression was used to test for trend.

Results: In 2005, the US trauma system had 446 TCs, 571 HDs, and provided 54.9% of the US population TC access within 60 minutes by ground and 81.1% by ground or air ambulance. Over the study period the website received an average of 450 hits, 17 visitors, and 81 page views/day. Website use significantly increased over the study period at an average rate of 0.28 hits/day (p=0.004), 0.04 visits/day (p<0.001), & 0.08 page views/day (p<0.001). Concurrently, the US trauma system added 14 TCs, 86 HDs, and increased population TC access within 60 minutes to 56.4% by ground and to 82.6% by ground or air ambulance.

Conclusions: Interactive web-based mapping could be used to inform the broader development of the emergency care system.