What is the value of a strong trauma center...in your opinion?

I love Texas. We have so much to be proud of. The people are friendly, the skies are blue and where else can you wear cowboy boots with a suit? I have lived in several other states, and even in a few other countries. But as Dorothy said, (and I know I’m not in Kansas) “there is no place like home”.

I also love being a nurse and working in a hospital. There is so much hope and energy. I have seen families come and celebrate a birth as well as express tremendous relief when their loved one was spared in a car crash. Because of fantastic medical care given, so many folks have a second chance at living a life and making a difference in their community.

Working in a Trauma Center can be challenging. There are times when my heart is so moved as I see the physical damage that didn’t have to happen. Sometimes the choices are made by the patients we care for, and with others, well, they were just innocent products of someone else’s decision. Working in a Trauma Center has certainly shown me a different perception on life. My own dramas are so minuscule compared to what others are going through. Kind of puts life into perspective. Don’t get me wrong… remember I still have a 16 year old GIRL in my house, and that alone brings drama that can compete with the latest TV sitcoms.

Trauma Centers are a unique place. Studies have proved that if you are involved in a trauma such as a motor vehicle crash, your chances of survival and return to a normal life are much higher if you are treated in a trauma center. There are many specific requirements that have to be met in order to be a designated “trauma center”. Having specialized care physicians, specially trained nurses, and specific equipment are only the beginning. These resources are costly. But what price is life? And what if someone can’t afford medical care? Do we turn them away? Of course not.

At Texas Health Fort Worth all trauma patients are treated with the same high quality of care. One way to offset the cost of trauma is through fines levied at those who choose to drive irresponsibly. These fines are hefty, aimed at discouraging drinking and driving, speeding, and red light running. They supply a resource of revenue for those who are treated in trauma centers. Millions of dollars have been distributed to help designated trauma centers and EMS agencies that care for trauma patients. These fines are currently under attack by Texans who feel they are unjust. This funding is a lifeline for the whole trauma system. Most Texans are not even aware of the stringent laws that are in place to discourage dangerous driving.

We all want superior health care. We need Trauma Centers to deliver. That requires financial support. Health care isn’t economical, it’s quite costly. But when it comes to family and friends, we know that we will do whatever it takes. And when it comes to our patients, we know we will do the right thing. We take care of our community and its families. It’s something we take pride in. And it’s something we do quite well. Thank you all for the job you do.

- Mary Ann Contreras, RN
Trauma Injury Prevention Coordinator