What does the level of a trauma center mean?

Answer 1

The level of the trauma center designates what type of responsibilities they have as well as what types of patient can be treated there. When a patient is injured, the severity and type of their injury will determine which hospital they must be transported to. This is a call usually made by the first responding medical team.

Level One Trauma: This means that a trauma team is in the hospital 24 hours a day and is able to respond to the most serious of traumas within a moment's notice. They are required to have surgeons available continuously as well as specialist services such as: maxillofacial, plastics/burn, orthopaedics, anesthesiologists, neurosurgery, radiologists, internal medicine and critical care. They are also required to have a research and education program for trauma. They have a quota of patients they are required to see each year.

Level Two Trauma: Provide comprehensive trauma coverage, but do not necessarily have the specialists in the hospital, many can be called in to see patients in short notice. Is not required to have a research and education out reach program and can provide care for most trauma patients. They may not have a minimum quota of patients, depending on local populace and requirements. Not all specialities are available so they have transfer agreements with Level One centers to transfer patient's requiring a higher level of care.

Level Three Trauma: Has the bare minimum of services available such as surgery, emergency resuscitation, and intensive care to meet most patients needs. For specialists not available, they have transfer agreements with Level One centers to transfer patient's requiring a higher level of care.