Definitions

Words defined in North Dakota Century Code chapter 23-01.2 have the same meaning in this chapter. As used in this chapter: 1. "Advanced trauma life support" means the most current edition of the course as developed by the American college of surgeons - committee on trauma, or its equivalent, as determined by the department. 2. "Department" means the state department of health. 3. "Emergency medical services" means the system of personnel who provide medical care from the time of injury to hospital admission. 4. "Local emergency medical services transport plans" means plans developed by emergency medical services, medical directors, and hospital officials which establish the most efficient method to transport trauma patients. 5. "Major trauma patient" means any patient that meets the criteria in step one or two of the field triage decision scheme provided by the American college of surgeons, committee on trauma, as published by the most current edition of the Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient. 6. "Online medical control" consists of directions given over the telephone or by radio directly from the medical director or designated physician. 7. "Provisional designation" means a state process of designating a facility as a trauma center based on American college of surgeons or department standards for a period determined by the department and the state trauma committee or until an American college of surgeons verification visit or state designation visit is completed. 8. "Trauma" means tissue damage caused by the transfer of thermal, mechanical, electrical, or chemical energy, or by the absence of heat or oxygen. 9. "Trauma center" means a facility that has made a commitment to serve the trauma patient, has met the standards of the trauma system, and has obtained designation as a trauma center. 10. "Trauma code" includes the activation and assembly of the trauma team to provide care to the major trauma patient. 11. "Trauma quality improvement program" means a system of evaluating the prehospital, trauma center, and rehabilitative care of trauma patients. 12. "Trauma registry" includes the collection and analysis of trauma data from the trauma system. 13. "Trauma team" includes a group of health care professionals organized to provide care to the trauma patient.