MaineHealth Maine Medical conference highlights trauma care challenges

PORTLAND, Maine (WGME) — Maine’s healthcare workers are discussing solutions to the many challenges of providing high-quality trauma care.

On Friday, medical leaders met at MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Portland to discuss Maine’s trauma care system and how they can take steps to improve it.

Officials say rural communities are feeling the effects of hospital and especially trauma center closures.

Right now, there are only two trauma centers in the state of Maine.

Dr. Bryan Morse, the medical director of trauma at MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland, says providers often struggle with finding transportation and pediatric support for patients in trauma situations.

“We have challenges that have come about relating to transporting patients across the system and across the state. There has also been challenges with pediatric patients and how to best optimize their outcomes as well,” Dr. Morse said. “The care of trauma in the state of Maine right now is really under distress.”

Morse says he hopes with conferences like Friday’s, Maine can improve their trauma response care.