Maine EMS has received notification from Central Maine Medical Center (Lewiston, Maine) that they no longer have 24-hour neurosurgical coverage for trauma. Maine EMS is working diligently to address several questions, including what this means for the state-wide trauma system and what does this mean for EMS agencies in Maine.
Maine EMS will convene the Maine State Trauma Prevention and Control Advisory Committee (TAC) with additional interested stakeholders next week (Tuesday 12/14/21 at 1pm, visit Maine EMS website calendar for zoom access information) to begin addressing these issues as quickly as possible.
For now, destination decisions should be made based on the Maine EMS Trauma Triage Protocol (Green 3-5). If, using the best clinical judgement, the EMS clinician believes a trauma patient is suffering a head injury, proceed to the most appropriate facility based on the Trauma Triage Protocol. If total transport time is less than 45 minutes, proceed to a Regional Trauma Center with neurosurgical services (Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor or Maine Medical Center in Portland) preferentially. If transport time is longer than 45 minutes, proceed to the most appropriate and proximate hospital for stabilization.
Operational Bulletin - CMMC Trauma Availability (PDF) (12/10/21)