Surgeons continue to advocate consolidating Edmonton’s two trauma centres

Edmonton is a unique city in Canada, as it is one of the few cities of its size with two trauma centres for adult care. The Royal Alexandra Hospital (RAH) and University of Alberta Hospital (UAH) both serve as trauma centres, offering specialized care for the most serious and complex cases.

However, trauma surgeons in Edmonton have long advocated for the consolidation of these two trauma centres into a single site. They argue that having a single trauma centre would improve patient outcomes, reduce transfers of critically injured patients, more efficiently use resources, and save money. This push for consolidation is not new, as discussions about merging the two trauma centres have been ongoing for over two decades.

Studies have shown that trauma centres with higher patient volumes tend to have better patient outcomes. Medical teams that see more trauma cases are better equipped to develop and maintain a high level of expertise. In addition, higher patient volumes allow medical teams to gain experience with statistically rare types of cases, further enhancing their skills.

The cost of maintaining and staffing two trauma centres is another factor driving the push for consolidation. Having two trauma centres requires having a trauma surgeon and an operating room ready at all times, as well as specialized nurses, anesthetists, and other personnel. Additionally, patients often need to be transferred between the two hospitals due to the location of certain surgical specialties, leading to delays in care.

Despite the benefits of consolidation, the process would be disruptive and would involve shifting other specialties as well. Trauma surgeons in Edmonton have proposed that either UAH or RAH could serve as the city’s sole trauma centre, with each option having its own advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, the decision of where to consolidate the trauma centre would have long-lasting implications for the city’s acute care system.

While the Trauma Association of Canada (TAC) previously provided accreditation for trauma centres, there is now a shift towards adopting the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS-COT) standard. So far, only Toronto’s trauma centres have been accredited under this new standard. AHS lists a total of 10 trauma centres in Alberta, with the adult and pediatric facilities in Edmonton and Calgary designated as Level I or II trauma centres.

Consolidating Edmonton’s two trauma centres into a single site would be a significant decision with far-reaching implications. Trauma surgeons continue to advocate for consolidation, citing improved patient outcomes, reduced transfers, efficient resource utilization, and cost savings as key benefits of having a single trauma centre in the city.