The ideal solution to the problem of injury is an effective
injury prevention strategy. When prevention fails, however,
injuries occur which often require treatment. The appropriate
environment in which this treatment should be delivered is
a trauma system.
The trauma system embraces the whole spectrum of injury,
from trivial to catastrophic, and functions from the moment
of injury until the full potential from rehabilitation has
been achieved. The trauma system is the framework in which
institutions and individuals provide care within a broad geographic
area.