Current Trauma Status Report - Southern Nevada Health District

Trauma Development
Trauma System versus Trauma Center
A trauma system is a multidisciplinary effort by a region to respond to the risk and occurrence of injury
by coordinating resources throughout the trauma care spectrum. Such a system often involves,
amongst other elements, the participation of the local public health system, EMS, designated trauma
centers, and efforts at injury prevention and rehabilitation.
According to the NHTSA document Trauma System Agenda for the Future, the true value of a trauma
system is derived from the seamless transition between each phase of care, integrating existing
resources to achieve improved patient outcomes. Success of a trauma system is largely determined by
the degree to which it is supported by public policy. Further, regionalized trauma systems make
efficient use of health care resources. They are based on the unique requirements of the population
served, such as rural, inner-city, urban, or Native American communities.
Trauma systems are developed with an expectation that these efforts will lead to significant reductions
in morbidity and mortality.
A trauma center is an important component of a trauma system. It is where the injured person
receives the majority of their care. There are four different levels of trauma centers authorized by state
statute, Levels I through IV, with the most advanced level being a Level I. The major difference among
the levels is the type of injury the center can care for – the most severely injured are treated at a Level I
or II, less severe injuries are treated at a Level III or IV. Level I trauma centers are required to have
residency and research programs on trauma. Within a trauma system there can be as few as one
trauma center to many trauma centers. The number of trauma centers and their level depends on the
region’s needs and designation methods.
Finally, a trauma center differs from an ED in that trauma centers consistently have 24 hour resources
to care for the more severely injured patients (e.g. serious car crash), while an ED would treat those
people with less severe injuries.
Elements of a Trauma System
NHTSA has identified 12 components of a trauma system. The Trauma System Agenda for the Future
identifies key issues in addressing four fundamental components of the trauma care system and eight
key infrastructure elements that are critical to trauma system success. The four fundamental
components of a trauma care system are:
• Injury Prevention
• Prehospital Care
• Acute Care Facilities
• Rehabilitation
In addition to the fundamental operational components of the trauma system, the following key
infrastructure elements must be in place to support any comprehensive trauma care system:
• Leadership
• Professional Resources (shortages of trauma care professionals)
• Education and Advocacy (education about trauma injuries)
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