【Abstract】Objective: The high burden of injuries
in Iran necessitates the establishment of a comprehensive
trauma care system. The purpose of this paper is to de-
scribe the current status of trauma system regarding the
components and function.
Methods: The current status of trauma system in all
components of a trauma system was described through ex-
pert panels and semi-structured interviews with trauma spe-
cialists and policy makers.
Results: Currently, various organizations are involved
in prevention, management and rehabilitation of injuries,
but an integrative system approach to trauma is rather
deficient. There has been ongoing progress in areas of pub-
lic education through media, traffic regulation reinforcement,
hospital care and prehospital services. Meanwhile, there
are gaps regarding financing, legislations and education of
high risk groups. The issues on education and training stan-
dards of the front line medical team and continuing educa-
tion and evaluation are yet to be addressed. Trauma regis-
try has been piloted in some provinces, but as it needs the
well-developed infrastructure (regarding staff, maintenance,
financial resources), it is not yet established in our system
of trauma care.
Conclusions: It seems that one of the problems with
trauma care in Iran is lack of coordination among trauma
system organizations. Although the clinical management of
trauma patients has improved in our country in the recent
decade, decreasing the burden of injuries necessitates an
organized approach to prevention and management of
trauma in the context of a trauma system.
Key words: Emergency medical services; Trauma
centers; Wounds and injuries