A Trauma Center is identified in two (2) ways – designation and verification.
Trauma Center Designation is a process outlined and developed at a state or local level. The state identifies unique criteria to categorize the trauma centers. These categories vary from state to state. The categories are Level I – III in Maryland.
Trauma Center Verification is an evaluation process done by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) to evaluate and improve trauma centers. The ACS verifies the presence of resources listed in the Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient – which include commitment, readiness, resources, polices, patient care, and performance improvement.
The only ACS verified trauma center in Maryland is the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD (Level II Trauma Center).
In Washington, D.C., there are four (4) ACS verified trauma centers:
- Children’s National Health System (Level I Pediatric Trauma Center)
- George Washington University Hospital (Level I Trauma Center)
- Howard University Trauma Center (Level I Trauma Center)
- MedStar Washington Hospital Center (Level I Trauma Center)
According to the Maryland Institute of Emergency Services Systems (MIEMSS), a trauma center is categorized by the following standards:
- Attending surgeon who is fellowship-trained and in the hospital at all times.
- Designated facilities (resuscitation unit, OR, ICU) 24 hours.
- Anesthesiologist in hospital at all times and dedicated to trauma care.
- Orthopedic surgeon in hospital at all times and dedicated to trauma care.
- Neurosurgeon in hospital at all times and dedicated to trauma care.
- Fellowship-trained/board-certified surgical director of ICU.
- Physician with privileges in critical care on duty in ICU 24hr/day.
- Comprehensive trauma research program.
- Education – fellowship training in trauma.
- Surgical residency program.
- Outreach Professional Education.
PARC in Maryland: R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma/University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD
- Facilities (resuscitation unit, OR, and ICU available at all times.
- Trauma surgeon available in hospital at all times.
- Anesthesiologist in hospital at all times but shared with other services.
- Orthopedic surgeon in the hospital at all times but shared with other services.
- Neurosurgeon in the hospital at all times but shared with other services.
- Fellowship-trained/board-certified surgical director of ICU.
- Physician with privileges in critical care on duty in ICU 24hr/day.
- Comprehensive trauma research program.
- Surgical residency program.
Level I Trauma Center in Maryland: Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD
- Facilities (resuscitation unit, OR, and ICU available at all times.
- Trauma surgeon available in hospital at all times.
- Anesthesiologist in hospital at all times but shared with other services.
- On-call orthopedic surgeon available within 30 minutes of call.
- Physician with privileges in critical care on duty in ICU 24hr/day.
- Outreach Professional Education.
Level II Trauma Centers in Maryland:
- Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD
- University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center, Baltimore, MD
- Sinai Hospital – LifeBridge Health, Baltimore, MD
- Suburban Hospital – Johns Hopkins Medicine, Bethesda, MD
- Facilities (resuscitation unit, OR, and ICU available at all times.
- On-call trauma surgeon available within 30 minutes of call.
- On-call anesthesiologist with CRNA who is in the hospital
- On-call orthopedic surgeon available within 30 minutes of call.
- On-call neurosurgeon available within 30 minutes of call.
Level III Trauma Centers in Maryland:
- Meritus Medical Center, Hagerstown, MD
- UPMC Western Maryland, Cumberland, MD
- Tidal Health Peninsula Regional, Salisbury, MD
Pediatric Trauma Centers follow same designation and verification standards as Adult Trauma Centers.
Pediatric Trauma Centers in Maryland:
- Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, Baltimore, MD
- Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, D.C. (also an ACS verified Trauma Center)
References:
https://www.miemss.org/home/hospitals/trauma-centers
https://www.amtrauma.org/page/TraumaLevels
Blog submitted by:
Creason Walter
Communications Chair
Maryland TraumaNet
