ABOUT CBRAC
COASTAL BEND REGIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL ON TRAUMA SERVICE AREA – U, INC.
The Coastal Bend Regional Advisory Council (CBRAC) on Trauma Service Area – U (TSA-U), Inc., is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization functioning according to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) rule 157.123 and organized in accordance with the Texas Non-Profit Corporation Act. This Regional Advisory Council (RAC) is an organization of local citizens and member organizations representing licensed healthcare entities within TSA-U.
Trauma Service Area U (CBRAC-U) Includes The Following Counties:
- Aransas
- Bee
- Brooks
- Duval
- Kenedy
- Kleberg
- Live Oak
- Jim Wells
- McMullen
- Nueces
- Refugio
- San Patricio
TSA-U represents 12,974 square miles and over 582,600 people. TSA-U has a level II Trauma Center, a level III Children’s Hospital, and seven level IV facilities, as well as Primary Certified Stroke Centers with PCI and Accredited Chest Pain Centers.
What is a RAC?
Regional Advisory Councils (RACs) are the administrative bodies responsible for trauma system oversight within the bounds of a given Trauma Service Area in Texas. Each of the 22 RACs is tasked with developing, implementing, and monitoring a regional emergency medical service trauma system plan.
Generally, RAC stakeholders are comprised of healthcare entities and other concerned citizens with an interest in improving and organizing trauma care. As such, not every Regional Advisory Council is structured the same. However, each RAC has the same objectives – to reduce the incidence of trauma through education, data collection, data analysis and performance improvement. Typically, this is accomplished via the provision of educational programs and performance improvement efforts designed to offer every provider guidance and motive to reduce the incidence of trauma, as well as improve outcomes of trauma patients.
The purpose of a Regional Advisory Council (RAC) is to develop, implement and monitor a regional emergency medical services (EMS) trauma system plan to facilitate trauma system networking within its TSA or group of TSAs. A RAC is an organized group of healthcare entities and other concerned citizens who have an interest in improving and organizing trauma care within a specified Trauma Service Area (TSA). RAC membership may include hospitals, physicians, nurses, EMS providers, rehabilitation facilities, dispatchers, as well as other community groups.
CBRAC TSA-U CORE FUNCTIONS
TSA-U Trauma System Plan
Develop and continually update a trauma system plan for TSA-U and submit to DSHS as required by the most current Texas Trauma Rules.
Quality Of Trauma Care
Develop and implement guidelines designed to enhance the quality of trauma care provided.
Transportation Plan
Determine methods for efficient and expedient inter-facility transfers that are most appropriate for the patient’s needs for trauma care and/or rehabilitative services.
Communication Plan
Provide a forum for communication between parties of the trauma care system to enhance networking and coordination of patient care issues.
Data Management And Analysis
Conduct data management and analysis, to include, Trauma, Stroke, Cardiac and Perinatal.
Performance Improvement Systems
Specify and conduct ongoing Performance Improvement activities.
Trauma/EMS Licensing
Assist member organizations in attaining/maintaining trauma designation or Emergency Medical Service (EMS) licensure at the level appropriate to their available resources.
Regional Disaster Planning
Develop and continually update a regional disaster plan for EMS and hospitals within TSA-U. Regional disaster planning and development is coordinated with appropriate state and local agencies.
Public Education And Outreach
Provide the public with information regarding trauma care and injury prevention. Support 9-1-1 and public access to trauma care. Support programs designed to facilitate prevention of trauma and to educate the public as to its importance.
Healthcare Preparedness Coalition
Collaborate with local public health authorities to facilitate the integration of acute health care (clinical medicine) and public health initiatives.