Description
Please respond to both post separately.
1. In our society we have two separate ways of identifying trauma center levels that are unique processes that define the type of trauma care a center provides, this is known as designation versus verification. At the state and local levels of government each state or local municipality puts forth unique criteria to categorize trauma centers, the process of outlining and developing these criteria is known as trauma center designation. Additionally, this criteria can vary from state to state and can be generally seen through legislative bodies (American Trauma Society, n.d.). In contrast the process of verification is carried out by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) that aims to evaluate trauma centers with the goal of improving them. Instead of designating each trauma center the ACS evaluates resources available in the center and can look at things such as commitment, readiness, and policies of the trauma center. It’s important to note that undergoing the verification process is voluntary and the verification status lasts three years if approved.
While there are five total trauma care levels, we will discuss the initial three levels and the differences between them. Trauma level one can be defined as a medical center that is able to provide care through all points of an injury from prevention through rehabilitation and staff’s 24-hour coverage of physicians and specialists to respond to a trauma episode (American Trauma Society, n.d.). Additionally, this level provides leadership in public education, has a quality assessment program, operates teaching and research efforts, and meets minimum volume for severely injured patients. Level two centers still have 24-hour coverage, but do not meet the volume requirement of a level one center and generally would not have teaching and research efforts. Finally, level three centers do still have 24-hour emergency medicine physicians, but do not have the array of specialists available and need to have transfer agreements in place to level one and two centers for patients who require higher levels of care (American Trauma Society, n.d.). In the state of Kentucky there are currently 20 verified trauma centers in the state (Kentucky Hospital Association, 2022).
2.Per the article the ER, or emergency room, is a special department within the hospital that deals with anything from minor injuries to life threatening incidents, like heart attacks and strokes. Trauma centers are designated areas, usually within an emergency department, that are specially outfitted for major life-threatening injuries and crisis situations. Not every hospital or emergency department has a designated trauma center, and those that do have trauma centers have specified levels determining which life-threatening injuries and scenarios they are capable of handling. 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. Trauma Center Verification is an evaluation process done by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) to evaluate and improve trauma care. The ACS does not designate trauma centers but verifies the presence of the resources listed in Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient. (American Trauma Society January 1, 2000). The agency that is responsible for these functions for instance in the state of Florida it’s called the agency for health care administration.
The Trauma Center level 1 referral resource for communities in nearby regions, provides leadership in prevention, public education to surrounding communities, provides continuing education of the trauma team members, incorporates a comprehensive quality assessment program, operates an organized teaching and research effort to help direct new innovations in trauma care, program for substance abuse screening and patient intervention, and meets minimum requirement for annual volume of severely injured patients. Level 2 24-hour immediate coverage by general surgeons, as well as coverage by the specialties of orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, radiology and critical care, tertiary care needs such as cardiac surgery, hemodialysis and microvascular surgery may be referred to a Level I Trauma Center, provides trauma prevention and continuing education programs for staff, and incorporates a comprehensive quality assessment program. Level 3 24-hour immediate coverage by emergency medicine physicians and the prompt availability of general surgeons and anesthesiologists, incorporates a comprehensive quality assessment program, has developed transfer agreements for patients requiring more comprehensive care at a Level I or Level II Trauma Center, provides back-up care for rural and community hospitals, offers continued education of the nursing and allied health personnel or the trauma team, and involved with prevention efforts and must have an active outreach program for its referring communities. (American Trauma Society n.d)
The state of Florida is home to 27 trauma centers. Florida’s trauma centers are well known for their quick response to trauma emergencies and progression in advanced technologies. Emergency rooms are not trauma centers. A trauma center has highly trained specialists in-house or immediately available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Trauma centers have access to air emergency whose only job is to be available for the moment a serious accident occurs. Trauma centers provide the highest level of care and expertise, with the most cutting edge technology and resources available for treatment. (Florida Committee on Trauma 2020).
