Trauma Registry A trauma registry is a computerized database that includes broad demographic data, injury information, and trauma outcomes. Collecting this information aids in the evaluation of trauma care for injured patients who meet certain inclusion standards. Some of the information in this registry includes hospital trauma information and patient data from other healthcare providers including pre-hospital care and rehabilitation, if applicable (Zenati). The first computerized trauma registry was created in 1969 by Cook County Hospital in Chicago and became the model for the Illinois State Trauma Registry. This registry began accumulating information from fifty selected trauma hospitals in the state in 1971. The first records were stored on mainframe computers but in 1985 they began to be stored on microcomputers. Subsequently, many hospitals around the world established trauma registries. In the United States alone, there are thirty-seven states that have a trauma registry. These registries include information on patients treated in trauma centers (Nwomeh). Trauma registries influence processes that improve patient care. A well-designed trauma registry can help healthcare providers, policymakers, and community health agencies work together when it comes to trauma care. A unified trauma registry that follows a common set of standards provides the best information system for a performance improvement process, which is an important requirement for trauma centers and systems (Nwomeh). Although the primary source of trauma registry information comes from trauma centers, the data can be modified to accommodate regional, state, and national levels. Coding courses, to include ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM, would also be helpful. Additionally, prior experience in the medical field is of great advantage and help for an entry level trauma registrar (Mutto). Works CitedMutto, Susan RN, MA, CSTR, and Patsye Stanley RHIT, CSTR, CAISS. “Trauma Registry Guide 2011.” 2011. Kansas Trauma Program. April 10, 2014 .Nwomeh, Benedict C, Wendi Lowell, Renae Kable, Kathy Haley, Emmanuel A Ameh. “History and Development of the Trauma Registry: Lessons from Developed to Developing Countries.” World Journal of Emergency Surgery (2006). Zenati, Mazen S, MD MPH, PH.D. "Trauma registry". second University of Pittsburgh. April 15th 2014 .