Trauma Centers by Designation Levels

Designation levels set specific criteria and standards of care that guide hospital and emergency personnel in determining the level of care a trauma victim needs and whether that hospital can care for the patient or transfer the patient to a Trauma Center that can administer more definitive care.

Level I

Level I Trauma Centers must have a full range of trauma capabilities, including an emergency department, a full-service surgical suite, intensive care unit, and diagnostic imaging. Level I Centers must have a residency program, ongoing trauma research, and provide 24-hour trauma service in their facility. These hospitals provide a variety of other services to comprehensively care for both trauma patients, as well as medical patients. Level I Trauma Centers act as referral facilities for Level II, III, and IV Trauma Centers.

Level II

Level II Trauma Centers must be able to provide initial care to the severely injured patient. These facilities must have a full range of trauma capabilities, including emergency department, a full service surgical suite, intensive care unit, and diagnostic imaging. Level II Trauma Centers act as referral facilities for Level III and IV Trauma Centers. For specialty care a patient may be transferred to a Level I Trauma Center.

Level III

Level III Trauma Centers must offer continuous general surgical coverage and can manage the initial care of many injured patients. Level III Trauma Centers must also provide continuous orthopedic coverage. Transfer agreements must be in place with Level I and II Trauma Centers for patients that exceed the Level III Trauma Center’s resources. Level III may act as a referral facility for Level IV Trauma Centers.

Level IV

Level IV Trauma Centers provide initial evaluation and assessment of injured patients. Most patients will require transfer to facilities with more resources dedicated to providing optimal care for the injured patients. Level IV Trauma Centers must have transfer agreements in place with Level I, II, and III Trauma Centers.