Hoping to make a better case for more state funding, the state trauma commission has called in a consultant to assess Georgia's needs and make recommendations on trauma care, officials said.

State officials have declared a crisis in trauma care in Georgia, with some hospitals operating with outdated equipment and operating millions in the red on the service. In some parts of the state, an injured person can be 90 minutes or more from a trauma center.

The commission has approved spending $65,000 to have the American College of Surgeons do a statewide assessment of trauma care. The assessment is expected to start in December and be completed in time for a late February briefing to the state Legislature, said Dr. Patrick O'Neal, director of trauma and emergency services for the state Division of Public Health.

O'Neal said he expects the college will recommend adding trauma centers to hospitals around the state, increasing emergency response services and expanding helicopter transportation to trauma centers. He hopes that a study by an outside agency will add credibility to the requests for more funding.

"They will identify gaps in the system," he said.

The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational organization that sponsors medical education programs, conducts training and performs assessments.

While state leaders agreed this year to boost state money for trauma care, they failed to agree on an ongoing funding source for annual support. Gov. Sonny Perdue provided one-time funding of $58 million, which was divided among the 15 trauma hospitals in the state.