N.Y. Public Health Law § 3061: Declaration of purpose

§ 3061. Declaration of purpose. Trauma is the leading cause of death

and disability during the first four decades of life. In the aftermath

of the events of September eleventh, two thousand one, the medical

response to natural and man-made disasters is also recognized as a

public concern of the highest order. The furnishing of emergency

medical, trauma, and disaster care is therefore a matter of vital

concern affecting the public health, safety and welfare. Emergency

medical, trauma, and disaster care, the planning and coordination of

such care between prehospital and inhospital personnel and collaborating

public health, safety, and welfare officials, the quality management and

review of such care, and the development and maintenance of a statewide

system for interfacility transfer, including but not limited to

aeromedical transport, of critically ill or injured patients between

general hospitals and other health care facilities, are essential public

health services. It is the purpose of this article to promote the public

health, safety and welfare by providing for development and maintenance

of systems for emergency medical, trauma, and disaster care, and for

expeditious transfer of patients in need of such care to facilities

appropriately staffed and equipped to provide this care in a timely and

effective manner.