Terms used in this section and §§ 34-12-53 to 34-12-55, inclusive, mean:

(1) “Department,” the Department of Health;

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(2) “Emergency medical services,” health care provided to the patient at the scene, during transportation to a medical facility, between medical facilities, and upon entry at the medical facility;

(3) “Trauma,” a sudden, severe injury or damage to the body caused by an external force that results in potentially life-threatening injuries or that could result in the following disabilities:

(a) Impairment of cognitive or mental abilities;

(b) Impairment of physical functioning; or

(c) Disturbance of behavioral or emotional functioning;

(4) “Trauma care system,” a statewide system for the prevention of trauma and the provision of optimal medical care to trauma victims that includes both the provision of appropriate health care services and provision of emergency medical care, equipment, and personnel for effective and coordinated prehospital, hospital, inter-hospital, and rehabilitative care for trauma patients;

(5) “Trauma hospital,” a hospital designated by the department as providing a specialized program in trauma care with appropriately trained personnel, equipment, and other facility resources that are specifically organized to provide optimal care to a trauma patient at the facility; and

(6) “Trauma registry,” patient-specific trauma data that is maintained by a health care facility, in a format prescribed by rules promulgated pursuant to § 34-12-54.

Source: SL 2008, ch 168, § 1; SL 2017, ch 150, § 3; SL 2022, ch 103, § 3.