A Decade of Progress Toward Establishing Regional Hand Trauma Centers in the United States.

Abstract

Although upper extremity amputations have become less common in the workplace because of improvements in safety and equipment, the American health system's ability to provide emergent microvascular care for these injuries remains highly fragmented, inconsistent, overburdened, and at times unavailable. Over the past decade, hand surgeons have worked to improve this disparity within health systems. This article discusses the need for emergent microsurgical treatment, barriers encountered in improving access to care, and a description of current and future efforts of developing a sustainable network of highly specialized regional hand trauma centers.