In life-threatening situations, minutes make the difference between life and death. Trauma patients require a comprehensive array of care delivered immediately.
Trauma centers follow national guidelines to receive one of three levels of designation, with level one being the highest and most comprehensive level of service offered. In order to receive this designation, the trauma center must have a trauma physician in the emergency room at all times and provide access to relevant medical specialties and subspecialties around the clock.
To be considered a Level I trauma center, subspecialty care must be available 24-hours a day. A Level II trauma center also has sub-specialists and anesthesiologists on call day or night. Trauma Centers are designated for three year periods by the American College of Surgeons.