Trauma Center Verification and Designation
Facilities are evaluated based on readiness to treat serious injuries
Overview
A major component of Alaska’s trauma system is the verification and designation of trauma centers. Verification is a voluntary process in which facilities undergo an objective, external review of their institutional capabilities and performance in treating seriously injured patients. During this review, facilities must demonstrate compliance with national and state criteria encompassing data, physical and personnel resources, and performance improvement activities. Once a facility has been verified through the review process, it is eligible to be designated as a trauma center.
Facilities are verified and designated at varying levels (I-V) depending on available resources and capabilities. Verification reviews for Levels I-III facilities are provided by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS COT). The DOH Trauma Program conducts reviews for Level IV-V facilities.
Who qualifies?
To be a trauma care center, a facility must:
- Show commitment to providing optimal care by undertaking an external review of staff, procedures, and resources
- Meet state and national standards for providing timely and effective care for trauma patients
- Be ready to treat and transport trauma patients according to Alaska’s statewide trauma care plan
How to sign up
Level I, II, and III trauma centers:
- Download a copy of ACS-COT Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient
- Complete a review application to ACS-COT
- Undergo a verification review from an ACS-COT team to evaluate the center’s readiness to care for seriously injured patients
Level IV and V trauma centers:
- Complete request for an SOA DOH review
- Undergo a verification site visit by a DOH Trauma Services team
Levels of certification
There are five levels of trauma center designation:
Level I
- Serves large cities or areas that are very population-dense
- Responsible for providing leadership in research, professional, and community education
Important: Alaska does not have facilities with this designation at this time.
Level II
- Provides full trauma care and lead trauma services in their region
- Has emergency doctors, nurses, and support staff on-site at all times
- Has surgical teams on call at all time and ready to respond quickly
- Offers education and prevention programs to guide the trauma system
Level III
- Handles emergency care, surgeries, and stabilization
- Arranges transfers to a Level I or II center for patients with the most serious injuries
- Requires a general surgeon to be available
- Includes prevention and outreach programs for nearby communities
Level IV
- Operates as a small, rural hospital
- Evaluates and provides stabilizing treatment for serious injuries before transferring patients to larger trauma centers
- May provide definitive care for less seriously injured patients
Level V
- Operates as a rural clinic without inpatient capabilities
- Evaluates and provides stabilizing treatment for serious injuries before transferring patients to larger trauma centers