As Orthopaedic trauma surgeons, it is essential that we advocate for the highest quality of trauma care for both our patients and the tools we need as surgeons to take care of them. The American College of Surgeons website states, “With more than 82,000 members, the American College of Surgeons (ACS) is the largest and most robust surgical organization in the world. The College has so much to offer surgeons of all specialties, at any point in their careers. From transition to practice support for those just starting out, to ongoing training and education, to advocacy and leadership, we help surgeons advance their careers and elevate the profession in a way no other organization can.”
Specifically, the ACS Committee on Trauma is the arm that implements measures for trauma patients. From their website: “The American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS COT) aims to develop and implement programs that support injury prevention and ensure optimal patient outcomes across the continuum of care. These programs incorporate advocacy, education, trauma center and trauma system resources, best practice creation, outcome assessment, and continuous quality improvement.”
As Orthopaedic trauma surgeons, our patients and services benefit from involvement in the ACS perhaps more than any others in orthopaedics and it would behoove us all to be involved as a strong voice on behalf of our specialty!
Anna N. Miller, MD, FACS, ACS Chair