

#Trauma center levels hospitals verification#
The American College of Surgeons (ACS) then carries out the verification process to verify that the resources listed in Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient (including commitment, policies, resources, readiness, performance improvement, and patient care) are present. As such, the requirements to meet each trauma center level vary from one state to the next. The designation process takes place first and occurs at the state or local level, where the unique criteria used to categorize trauma centers are identified. These levels set national standards for trauma care and are based on the types and quantities of resources available in a trauma center, as well as the number of patients admitted annually. In the United States, trauma centers are categorized into specific levels via two processes: designation and verification.

While trauma centers are often located within hospitals, their services are purely supplementary - they are not meant to replace the emergency department or other traditional hospital services. Trauma centers often require specialty resources to be available 24/7 as well, such as a pharmacy, blood bank, diagnostic testing, laboratory testing, an operating room, and a trauma resuscitation area within the emergency department. These providers must have expertise in treating traumatic injuries and often include nurses, radiologists, cardiac surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, and trauma surgeons. The main difference between a regular hospital and a trauma center is the latter’s requirement for a team of health care providers trained in specialty care to be available 24/7. This treatment is proven to reduce the chances of permanent disability and death for the injured patients. What Is a Trauma Center?Ī trauma center is a facility that provides resources and specialized medical services to patients with traumatic - and oftentimes life-threatening and disabling - injuries. Physical trauma can also be caused by surgery, which is sometimes referred to as a controlled injury. Blunt force trauma: When a force or object strikes the body, potentially leading to broken bones, deep cuts, or concussionsĬommon causes of physical trauma include falls, motor vehicle crashes, burns, assaults, and gunshot wounds.Penetrating trauma: When an object pierces the body or skin, typically leading to an open wound.Physical trauma is defined as a serious bodily injury and is broken up into two main categories: If planning a trauma center, we recommend consulting your municipality’s or state’s governing agencies and resources for requirements and guidelines. This guide is for informational purposes only. Read on for trauma center basics, categorization levels, setup steps, and other important considerations. At the same time, dangerous remote work operations and emergency response teams are realizing the importance of having trauma centers on hand to reduce permanent disablement and death from serious injuries.īut while the benefits of trauma centers may be obvious, the path to setting one up is less straightforward. has seen a surge in trauma centers opening up as hospitals expand their offerings to treat critically injured patients while also increasing their bottom line.
