Trauma Center Criteria

Question 1

Level 1

Answer 1

1. Total care is provided from prevention, treatment, & rehabilitation
2. 24-hour in-house coverage by general surgeons, & prompt availability of care in a variety of specialties
3. Meets minimum requirement for annual volume of severely injured patients
4. Operates an organized teaching & research effort to help direct new innovations in trauma care
5. Surgical Residency Program
6. Provides leadership in prevention, public education to surrounding communities
7. Referral resource for communities in nearby regions
8. Provides continuing education of the trauma team members
9. Incorporates a comprehensive quality assessment program

Question 2

Level 1 Specialties

Answer 2

1. Orthopedic surgery
2. Neurosurgery
3. Anesthesiology
4. Emergency medicine
5. Radiology
6. Internal medicine
7. Plastic surgery
8. Oral & maxillofacial
9. Pediatric
10. Critical care w/ a full range of state-of-the-art equipment available as well

Question 3

Level 2

Answer 3

Almost Identical to a Level 1 except:

1. Not all specialties nor equipment are readily available
2. Does not have Research nor Publication expectations
3. The director of the intensive care unit (ICU) does not have to necessarily be a current Board Certified Surgeon
4. Surgical residency program does not have to be in place

Question 4

Level 3

Answer 4

1. Provides prompt assessment, resuscitation, surgery, intensive care & stabilization of injured patients & emergency operations
2. Transfer stabilized patients to level 1 or level 2 centers, when necessary
3. Surgeons, anesthetists, & other members of staff do not need to be on-site 24 hours a day (must respond w/in 30 minutes)

Question 5

Level 4

Answer 5

1. Provides advanced trauma life support (ATLS) prior to transfer of patients to a higher level trauma center
2. It provides evaluation, stabilization, & diagnostic capabilities for injured patients
3. Basic emergency department facilities
4. Trauma nurses and physicians available when the injured person arrives
5. The provision of surgery and critical care services
6. Ability to transfer patients to level 1 or level 2 trauma centers if they require more comprehensive care