What is a Trauma Center?
Trauma centers are hospitals with resources immediately available to provide surgical services and care to reduce the likelihood of permanent disability or death to patients with traumatic injuries. Accredited trauma centers always must be prepared to treat the most disabling and serious life-threatening injuries. They are not intended to replace traditional hospitals and emergency departments for minor injuries.
UPMC Presbyterian first was accredited as a Level I trauma center in 1986.
There are three levels of trauma centers in Pennsylvania:
- Level I trauma centers require trauma research programs, a surgical residency program, and an annual volume of at least 650 major cases each year.
- Level II trauma centers meet the same high level of care but do not have to have the research and residency components, and must have at least 350 major trauma cases each year.
- Level III trauma centers are smaller community hospitals that do not require a minimum volume of trauma patients. The focus is to stabilize severe trauma in preparation for transport to a higher level trauma center, as well as to care for patients with moderate trauma. They do not need to have neurosurgical services.
The Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation is the organization responsible for accrediting trauma centers in Pennsylvania. The foundation has been reviewing and surveying applicant hospitals since May 1986.