Can someone explain...

[PACU queen]

what the different levels are/mean?

(Level 1 trauma center..etc)

Thanks.

[anne74]

I know someone else who works in the ED can answer this better. But, I think to be a Level 1 trauma center, you have to have surgeons/docs present or on call in every discipline (like ortho, GI, neuro, etc.). Other EDs (Level 2, etc.) only have some docs/surgeons available or on call. You probably also have to have certain equipment, etc.

Is this correct, ED people? Probably somewhere on the Internet these different levels are explained.

[anne74]

Here - I found this online. It's from Colorado Dept of Public Health, so it may be different from other states:

Regional Pediatric Trauma Center (RPTC)

Provides the highest level of definitive and comprehensive care for pediatric patients with complex injuries. Emergency physicians, nurses, and surgeons are immediately available to the pediatric trauma patient. Regional Pediatric Trauma Centers are responsible for research , professional and community education, prevention, and consultative community outreach services and programs statewide.

Level I

Provides the highest level of definitive and comprehensive care for patients with complex injuries. Emergency physicians, nurses and surgeons are immediately available to the trauma patient. Level I Trauma Centers are responsible for research, professional and community education, prevention, consultative community outreach services and programs statewide.

Level II

Provides definitive care for complex and severe trauma patients. Emergency physicians and nurses are in-house and immediately available to the trauma patient to direct patient care and initiate resuscitation and stabilization. A surgeon is available upon patient arrival in the Emergency Department. A broad range of specialists, comprehensive diagnostic capabilities, and support equipment are available.

Level III

Provides initial evaluation and stabilization (surgically if appropriate) to the trauma patient. Comprehensive medical and surgical inpatient services are available to those patients who can be maintained in a stable or improving condition without specialized care. Emergency physicians and nurses are immediately available, and surgeons within 20 minutes, to assess, resuscitate, stabilize and initiate transfer as necessary to a higher level Trauma Care Service.

Level IV

Provides initial evaluation, stabilization, diagnostic capabilities and transfer to a higher level of care. May provide surgical and critical care services as defined in the service's scope of trauma care services. A trauma-trained nurse is immediately available, and physicians are available upon patient arrival in the Emergency Department.

Level V

Provides initial evaluation, stabilization, diagnostic capabilities and transfer to a higher level of care. May provide surgical and critical care services as defined in the service's scope of trauma care services. A trauma-trained nurse is immediately available, and physicians are available upon patient arrival in the Emergency Department. The facility must have an after-hours trauma response protocol, if not open 24 hours daily.

Non-designated

Must transfer all trauma patients, except those defined in rule (Chapter 2) to the appropriate, designated trauma center. Transfer agreements are required.

[ritarunningfeet]

i work in a level 1 trauma center in michigan, but the sanfransico ca public health department does a good job of explaining here is insert from site:

what is the difference between a level i, ii, iii, iv trauma center?

the four levels refer to the kinds of resources available in a trauma center and the number of patients admitted yearly. these are categories that define national standards for trauma care in hospitals. the american college of surgeons developed and continues to recommended the standards and the california state trauma care systems uses the levels in its regulations.

level i

a level i trauma center has a full range of specialists and equipment available 24-hours a day and admits a minimum required annual volume of severely injured patients. additionally, a level i center has a program of research, is a leader in trauma education and injury prevention, and is a referral resource for communities in neighboring regions (community outreach).

level ii

a level ii trauma center works in collaboration with a level i center. it provides comprehensive trauma care and supplements the clinical expertise of a level i institution. it provides 24-hour availability of all essential specialties, personnel and equipment. minimum volume requirements may depend on local conditions. these institutions are not required to have an ongoing program of research or a surgical residency program.

level iii

a level iii trauma center does not have the full availability of specialists, but does have resources for the emergency resuscitation, surgery and intensive care of most trauma patients. a level iii center has transfer agreements with level i and/or level ii trauma centers that provide back-up resources for the care of exceptionally severe injuries.

level iv

a level iv trauma center provides the stabilization and treatment of severely injured patients in remote areas where no alternative care is available.

[TraumaICURN]

Level I is the highest....Level IV is the lowest.

With Level I, you have doctors of most specialties there 24/7....trauma docs, neuro, ortho, urology to name a few.