ABOUT US
HISTORY OF
FAR WEST TEXAS & SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO
REGIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL ON TRAUMA
Far west Texas was identified as one of twenty-two (22) Trauma Service Areas in Texas and was given the designation of TSA-I. The first organizational meeting of the Far West Texas Regional Area Council on Trauma was held in June 1992. During this and subsequent meetings, bylaws and membership criteria were established and the Far West Texas RAC (RAC) was officially recognized by the Texas Department of Health in 1994.
Unfortunately, the first years of existence for the RAC were difficult. Because of some dissension between hospitals and services and a lack of leadership and direction, the RAC failed to offer any positive outcome. The committee languished and few meetings were held until the summer of 1994. It was at this time that Brewster and Jeff Davis Counties joined TSA-J.
Thomason Hospital, as the lead agency in the region, took a leadership role in assisting the RAC regain momentum. A new Trauma Nurse Coordinator was hired at Thomason and, through her efforts, the RAC began to realize its role in trauma care. With funding and technical assistance from Thomason, the RAC began to offer educational seminars, established a 1-800 trauma transfer number and began to reach out to the healthcare community for assistance in reestablishing the RAC’s membership roles. Soon, the RAC had reorganized, amended the bylaws, added new membership, created a logo, applied for and received 501(c)(3) status and expanded to include the southern part of New Mexico. The RAC has since been recognized as the Far West Texas & Southern New Mexico Regional Advisory Council on Trauma.
The RAC encompasses the Texas counties of El Paso, Hudspeth, and Culberson. New Mexico counties are Otero, Dona Ana, Sierra, Luna, Grant and Hidalgo. Within the region are urban, rural and frontier areas. The trauma service area represents 38,927 square miles with an estimated population of one million.
Since its creation, the Far West Texas & Southern New Mexico Regional Advisory Council on Trauma has grown in its activities and influence. Activities include:
- Participation in the development of the New Mexico regional trauma councils.
- Participation in regional planning for all hazards disaster preparedness.
- Establishment of the Trauma System Enhancement Regional Grant Program.
- Trauma Trot for Tots annual walk/run.
- Annual Trauma Gala.
- Annual regional trauma/disaster seminar.
- Regional trauma registry.
- Support of community education programs:
- Establishment of local safe communities program.
- Infant car seat inspection/exchange program.
- Bicycle safety program.
- Teen drinking and driving (Red Alert tour).
- Local education events (“Spooktacular”, Summer Safety Fairs, Senior Safety).
- Underage Drinking Initiative.
The RAC has also had preliminary discussions regarding the establishment of a bi-national registry program with Juarez, Mexico.
In 2004, the RAC acquired the full time services of an Executive Director. The ability to have an individual, whose full time responsibilities are to assist the RAC Board and members, has allowed the development of the individual RAC committees.
In recent years, the RAC has made great strides in the preparation of the medical community for disaster situations. In 2006, the RAC completed a Regional Medical Communications System that allows the small counties in the region to communicate not only with the El Paso emergency community, but also with each other to coordinate responses in the region. The RAC was identified as the liaison for local hospitals within the El Paso Emergency Operations Center (EOC). A RAC liaison serves as a member of the Medical Operations Cell within the EOC.
The hospitals in the region, continue to work together to identify target areas to improve patient care. These include not only trauma care, but coordinated disaster preparedness and response. The RAC has served as the grantee for HRSA Hospital Preparedness grant, assisting regional hospitals to identify preparedness needs and working to address these.
The RAC is the sponsoring organization for the region’s Medical Reserve Corps. This group of individuals is available to assist in local and regional emergencies that require medical personnel.
The RAC serves as the impartial group available to provide a place for discussion in many circumstances. This has included discussion regarding psychiatric patients in the Emergency Departments, pediatric patients and stroke victims. New team members are added to the traditional members to address these new and exciting opportunities.
