Level I
• Regional resource hospital that is central to trauma care system
• Provides total care for every aspect of injury, from prevention through rehabilitation
• Maintains resources and personnel for patient care, education, and research (usually in university-based teaching hospital)
• Provides leadership in education, research, and system planning to all hospitals caring for injured patients in the region
Level II
• Provides comprehensive trauma care, regardless of the severity of injury
• Might be most prevalent facility in a community and manage majority of trauma patients or supplement the activity of
a Level I TC
• Can be an academic institution or a public or private community facility located in an urban, suburban, or rural area
• Where no Level I TC exists, is responsible for education and system leadership
Level III
• Provides prompt assessment, resuscitation, emergency surgery, and stabilization and arrange transfer to a higher-level
facility when necessary
• Maintains continuous general surgery coverage
• Has transfer agreements and standardized treatment protocols to plan for care of injured patients
• Might not be required in urban or suburban area with adequate Level I or II TCs
Level IV
• Rural facility that supplements care within the larger trauma system
• Provides initial evaluation and assessment of injured patients
• Must have 24-hour emergency coverage by a physician
• Has transfer agreements and a good working relationship with the nearest Level I, II, or III TC