About SERAC

RAC Background 

In August 1998, North Carolina passed a law establishing Regional Advisory Committees, or RACs. The RACs are responsible for establishing and maintaining a coordinated trauma system in selected regions of the state. The idea behind the RACs is that coordination between facilities and emergency service providers could improve response times and reduce death and disability from injuries. All hospitals in the state must be members of a RAC.

SERAC Members

The Southeastern Regional Advisory Committee includes Bladen County Hospital, Brunswick Community Hospital, Columbus County Hospital, Dosher Memorial Hospital, New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Onslow Memorial Hospital and Pender Memorial Hospital and Camp Lejuene Naval Hospital.

Lead Agency

As the Level II Trauma Center for the region, New Hanover Regional Medical Center is the site of the Southeastern Regional Advisory Committee.  Lead RAC agencies provide staff support and serve as the coordinating entity for trauma planning in their region.

As the lead agency of SERAC, the NHRMC Trauma Center oversees the development, implementation and evaluation of the regional trauma system, which includes public information and educational programs on subjects such as injury prevention and access to the system.

Development of Trauma Guidelines

SERAC works to develop trauma guidelines for care that include:

• Dispatch
• Triage and treatment at the scene and in the ED
• Transport and treatment
• Promoting education and prevention
• Enhancing communication among trauma providers
• Conducting trauma research
• Evaluating the system's progress

SERAC is also a means of organizing emergency preparedness efforts in the region, related to chemical and biological terrorism.  SERAC meets quarterly at New Hanover Regional Medical Center.