The New Hampshire Trauma Medical Review Committee (TMRC) was created by statute to oversee the establishment of the NH Trauma System and to ensure the continuous improvement of the system. The TMRC is made up of physicians and surgeons representing different organizations and specialties, emergency and trauma nurses, representatives from statewide EMS-related organizations and hospitals, and representatives of other entities that play an important role in trauma care and injury prevention.

Introduction to the NH Trauma Medical Review Committee

The TMRC is comprised of surgeons, EMS physicians, nurses, EMS representatives and others from around the state with the following responsibilities:

• Develop and routinely update the adult and pediatric trauma system plan.
• Review statewide trauma system operations, including monitoring adherence to established guidelines and standards, the availability of appropriate resources, and the periodic review of trauma hospital classification criteria.
• Review the delivery of emergency medical services by providers and units concerning the provision of care to trauma patients.
• Make recommendations to the Coordinating Board based on the reviews described above
• Recommend to the EMS Medical Control Board modifications of the protocols of trauma care as a result of system-wide review.
• Assist trauma hospitals in the development and implementation of trauma quality improvement programs.
• Establish such subcommittees as deemed appropriate to carry out the functions of the committee.
• Assist the Coordinating Board in the coordination of a system of comprehensive emergency medical services and the establishment of minimum standards throughout the state by advising the Coordinating Board on policies, procedures, and protocols.

The following excerpt from the Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA) describes the composition and duties of the Trauma Medical Review Committee

153-A:8 Trauma Medical Review Committee.

I. There is established a trauma medical review committee which shall consist of:
(a) A minimum of 5 physicians representing the surgical disciplines of neurosurgery, general surgery, pediatric surgery, orthopedic surgery, and other physicians experienced in the treatment of adult and pediatric trauma patients.
(b) One member from the New Hampshire chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians.
(c) One member from the New Hampshire Paramedic Association.
(d) One member from the New Hampshire Emergency Nurses Association.
(e) One trauma nurse coordinator.
(f) One member from the New Hampshire Association of Emergency Medical Technicians.
(g) The state medical examiner or designee.
(h) One member of the emergency medical services medical control board.
(i) One representative from a New Hampshire acute care hospital nominated by the New Hampshire Hospital Association.
(j) One representative of the Professional Firefighters of New Hampshire.
(k) One representative of the New Hampshire Association of Fire Chiefs.
II. Each member shall be appointed by the commissioner.
III. The commissioner or the commissioner’s designee shall serve as a nonvoting member and as executive secretary.
IV. The term of each member shall be 3 years. The chair shall be appointed by the commissioner. The trauma medical review committee shall nominate one of its members to the governor for appointment to the coordinating board established in RSA 153-A:3.
V. The committee shall:
(a) Develop and routinely update the adult and pediatric trauma system plan.
(b) Review statewide trauma system operations, including monitoring adherence to established guidelines and standards, the availability of appropriate resources, and the periodic review of trauma hospital classification criteria.
(c) Review the delivery of emergency medical services by providers and units concerning the provision of care to trauma patients.
(d) Make recommendations to the coordinating board based on the reviews described in subparagraphs (b) and (c).
(e) Recommend to the emergency medical services medical control board modifications of the protocols of trauma care as a result of system-wide review.
(f) Assist trauma hospitals in the development and implementation of trauma quality improvement programs.
(g) Establish such subcommittees as deemed appropriate to carry out the functions of the committee.
(h) Assist the coordinating board in the coordination of a system of comprehensive emergency medical services and the establishment of minimum standards throughout the state by advising the coordinating board on policies, procedures, and protocols.

 Adobe Acrobat Reader format. You can download a free reader from Adobe.