COLUMBIA, S.C. - Trauma patients may have a better chance of survival and recovery under a bill that is expected to clear the Senate this week.

Last week, the House passed a bill that creates a statewide trauma care system and an advisory panel that will oversee standards for hospitals. On Tuesday, the Senate agreed to give the bill routine approval this week, clearing its path to Gov. Mark Sanford's desk.

The bill's sponsors say rural South Carolina lacks adequate facilities to handle severe injuries from accidents and other incidents. They want a statewide trauma system that improves care for those patients and cuts costs.

The state Department of Health and Environmental Control would set up a trauma section to develop and implement a trauma care system.

It's not the only trauma-related bill moving through the Senate. Last week, the House also passed a bill setting up the South Carolina Traumatic Brain Injury Trust Fund. Money for that program comes out of the state budget beginning in July 2005. That bill is now in the Senate Transportation Committee.

ON THE NET

Trauma centers: http://www.scstatehouse.net/sess115_2003-2004/bills/4262.htm