RN Specialties: Emergency Room (Trauma Centers)

Nursing in the USA

Minutes to read:

#

The Resource Center content, including all videos and other media, is for informational purposes only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial or other advice. The advice and information contained in the Resource Center is not a substitute for financial advice from a professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation

Summary

In this ER clinical training video, the focus is on trauma center levels, providing a comprehensive overview. Level I Trauma Centers, situated within university-based or teaching hospitals, offer total care from injury prevention to rehabilitation. Level II Trauma Centers provide comprehensive trauma care, often supplementing Level I activity. Level III facilities offer prompt assessment, resuscitation, and stabilization with transfer arrangements to higher-level facilities, while Level IV facilities, typically in outlying areas, supplement larger trauma systems with 24-hour ER coverage and transfer agreements. Remember, the lower the trauma level, the more resources available for patients.

Transcript

Welcome to the ER clinical training.

Today, let's talk about the different trauma center levels.

A Level I Trauma Center is a comprehensive regional resource that is central to the trauma system.

A Level I Trauma Center is capable of providing total care for every aspect of injury, starting with prevention through rehabilitation.

Remember, the lower the number (trauma level), the more resources for patients.

Level I Trauma Centers are usually located within university based or teaching hospitals.

A Level II provides comprehensive trauma care regardless of the severity of injury.

Typically Level II facilities might be the most prevalent in a community, or they help supplement the activity of Level I Trauma Centers.

If there is not a Level I Trauma Center within the area, Level II Trauma Centers are responsible for education and system leadership.

A Level III facility provides prompt assessment, resuscitation, emergency surgery, and stabilization, and also arranges to transfer to a higher level facility when necessary. Level III systems have transfer agreements in place in order to transfer patients to a higher level of care.

A Level IV facility, typically, they are located in outlying areas that supplement care within the larger trauma system.

They must have 24 hour ER coverage by physicians and also have transfer agreements in place.

Download PDF