A trauma center is a hospital which has the immediate availability of emergency physicians, general surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, radiologists, physician specialists, anesthesiologists, nurses, respiratory therapists, radiology technicians, and therapy specialties to provide multi-disciplinary trauma care. Such centers are also furnished with resuscitation and life support equipment, as well as have 24-hour access to operating rooms to care for severely injured patients.
The American Trauma Society describes the five levels as:
- Level I: The center provides total care, from prevention through rehabilitation. These also offer a teaching program for medical residents, as well as ongoing research.
- Level II: The center is similar to a Level I trauma center but doesn’t necessarily offer teaching or research. Both Levels I and II can treat either children or adults.
- Level III: The center is smaller than Level I and II centers but can provide prompt care to injured patients. May injuries can be safely cared for locally; however, certain injuries require a higher level of care and specialist to ensure best patient outcomes.
- Level IV: The center can provide trauma care and life support before patients are transferred to a larger, higher-level trauma center.
Emergencies happen why you least expect it. Keeping a medical emergency binder with your medications allows you to quickly gather important medical information quickly. Your binder should include the following:
- List of medications - names and dosages. In particular, names of blood thinning medications.
- List of allergies and medical conditions.
- List of past surgeries.
- Name and contact information for your emergency contact person.
- Advanced directives.
- Name and contact information for your primary care physician.