Trauma nursing

[YourFaveNurse]

Can someone enlighten me in the difference between trauma level 1, level 2 & level 3 please

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

Trauma Centers are basically identified by capability. They range from Level I to Level V, lower numbers mean greater capability.

Here's one resource that I found in about 3 seconds that probably explains this reasonably well. Trauma Center Levels Explained - American Trauma Society

From the above page:

Trauma center levels across the United States are identified in two fashions – A designation process and a verification process. The different levels (ie. Level I, II, III, IV or V) 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. Categorization is unique to both Adult and Pediatric facilities.

Trauma Center designation is a process outlined and developed at a state or local level. The state or local municipality identifies unique criteria in which to categorize Trauma Centers. These categories may vary from state to state and are typically outlined through legislative or regulatory authority.

I suggest you go to that page as it explains, generally, what the levels are.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

Can you clarify?

Do you mean this:

Trauma Center Levels Explained - American Trauma Society

Or this:

http://www.traumanurses.org/_resources/resource_library/trauma_activation/trauma_team_activation_01.doc?phpMyAdmin=YUKhXpm3NuRfJ3YccE22H8dYHvf

[CowboyMedic, DNP, APRN, CRNA]

Basically the differences in the level of a trauma center is the number of resources that are available to the patient. The only real difference between a Level II Trauma Center and a Level I Trauma Center is the amount of research that they do and a few other specialties on call that a Level I might not have. A Level III is going to have general surgery. A Level IV and a Level V are basically to stabilize a major trauma and ship them out if there were too critical to go to a higher level or take a helicopter.