Trauma center levels

Back Ground

• Trauma centers are categorized from Level I-V with designation of adult and pediatric care
• Centers are evaluated and verified by the ACS

US Trauma Center Levels

Level I

• 24-hour in-house coverage by gen surg, and prompt availability of care in ortho, NS, anesthesiology, EM, IM, rads, plastics, OMFS, and critical care
• Referral center
• Community leadership and education
• Continuing education
• QA program
• Operates an organized teaching and research effort

Level II

• 24-hour immediate coverage by gen surg, as well as coverage by ortho, NS, anesthesiology, EM, rads, and critical care
• Tertiary care needs such as CT surg, need for HD, vasc surg may be referred to a Level I Trauma Center
• Provides trauma prevention and to continuing education programs
• QA program

Level III

• 24-hour immediate coverage by EM providers and the prompt availability of gen surg and anesthesiology
• QA program
• Transfer agreements with Level I and/or Level II Trauma Centers
• Provides back-up care for rural and community hospitals
• Continuing education

Level IV

• Basic ED which can implement ATLS protocols ("trauma nurse" and physician)
• 24-hour labs
• May provide surgery and critical-care services
• Transfer agreements with Level I and/or Level II Trauma Centers
• QA program

Level V

• Basic ED which can implement ATLS protocols ("trauma nurse" and physician)
• After-hours activation protocols if facility is not open 24-hours a day
• May provide surgery and critical-care services if available
• Transfer agreements with Level I and/or Level II Trauma Centers

Sources

American Trauma Society - http://www.amtrauma.org/?page=TraumaLevels