Levels of Trauma Centers

There are 21 trauma centers in Florida. The following details trauma center levels:

Level I: State-designated center capable of delivering the highest level of expertise and care in the shortest possible time, with capabilities that far exceed a non-trauma center hospital. From prevention through rehabilitation, Level I Trauma center hospitals must be able to provide total care for every aspect of injury. Level I Trauma Center Hospitals require the following 15 physician specialists* who must be on-call and available immediately at all times:

• general surgery
• anesthesia
• emergency medicine
• neurosurgery
• orthopedic surgery
• cardiac surgery
• hand surgery
• microvascular/replant surgery
• obstetrics/gynecological surgery
• oral/maxillofacial surgery
• plastic surgery
• critical care medicine
• radiology
• thoracic surgery
• ophthalmic surgery
  

Level I facilities face rigid requirements for operating rooms/ICUs (including in-house specialists and required equipment), must have either an in-house burn unit or a transfer agreement, and engage in extensive education, outreach and prevention programs. Florida statute mandates that all Level 1 Trauma Centers must also be Pediatric Trauma Centers. There are only seven Level I Trauma Centers in Florida:

• Shands Jacksonville Medical Center
• Shands at University of Florida (Gainesville)
• Orlando Regional Medical Center
• Tampa General Hospital
• Broward General Medical Center (Ft. Lauderdale)
• Memorial Regional Hospital (Hollywood)
• Jackson Memorial Hospital/Ryder Trauma Center (Miami)

Level II: Facility that provides initial trauma care, regardless of the injury, with physician subspecialists promptly available. Level II centers generally are the most prevalent facilities in a community that manage the majority of trauma patients. However, depending on geographic location, patient volume, personnel, and resources, the Level II trauma center hospital may not be able to provide the same comprehensive care as a Level I trauma center hospital. Consequently, they may have to transfer patients with more complex injuries to a Level I center hospital. There are 13 Level II trauma centers in Florida:

• Baptist Hospital Pensacola
• Sacred Heart Hospital (Pensacola)
• West Florida Hospital (Pensacola)
• Halifax Hospital (Daytona Beach)
• Bayfront Medical Center (St. Petersburg)
• St. Joseph's Hospital (Tampa)
• Lakeland Regional Medical Center
• Holmes Regional Medical Center (Melbourne)
• Lee Memorial Hospital (Ft. Myers)
• St. Mary's Medical Center (West Palm Beach)
• Delray Medical Center (Delray Beach)
• North Broward Medical Center (Pompano Beach)
• Miami Children's Hospital
  

Pediatric: Pediatric trauma centers have the responsibility to meet the same criteria as adult hospitals. However, they must have a pediatric emergency department, pediatric resuscitation equipment in all patient areas, and a Pediatric ICU. In trauma centers that treat children, trauma surgeons must be credentialed for pediatric care. Pediatric trauma center staff must also be trained in the complex problems of treating children (including infants) and have numerous hours of specialized pediatric care training. In addition to the six level I trauma center hospitals, which are also classified as pediatric centers, Florida has three Pediatric-only Trauma Centers:

• All Children's Hospital (St. Petersburg)
• Miami Children's Hospital
  

Fast Fact: Trauma is the number one killer of those between the
ages of 1 and 37.