Get immediate care for traumatic or severe injury

If you experience a life-threatening or traumatic injury, trauma specialists at Ascension sites of care work to quickly stabilize, diagnose and treat your condition. Backed by trauma surgeons, neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons and other surgical specialists, trauma care teams provide critical care for your specific needs. With state-of-the-art equipment, our trauma centers deliver advanced surgical care. Highly trained trauma surgeons and multidisciplinary care teams work together to provide comprehensive emergency medical care for your traumatic injury.

Trauma center or an emergency room?

Emergency rooms at Ascension sites of care deliver 24/7 emergency care for a wide range of life-threatening and severe illness and injury including severe abdominal pain, heart attack, stroke, severe allergic reaction, severe skin infection, loss of consciousness, and more. You are connected to follow-up care with leading specialists including heart care, orthopedics and women's health to help manage your condition.

Trauma centers are hospitals specifically designated for the treatment of life-threatening injuries that require more critical care. A patient may enter through an emergency room, but receive care from other areas in the hospital, including the operating room, intensive care unit (ICU), radiology, and more. Your trauma care team may include a trauma surgeon, neurosurgeon, orthopedic surgeon, radiologist and other specialists. Trauma centers deliver advanced critical care to help stabilize, diagnose and treat severe injuries, including:

• Blunt force trauma
• Major penetrating trauma (including ballistics injuries and piercing wounds)
• Motor vehicle crashes
• Multiple severe fractures
• Severe burns
• Severe falls
• Spine injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

Types of trauma centers

At Ascension sites of care, our trauma centers are verified by the American College of Surgeons and/or designated by the state to ensure they are equipped for, and capable of, caring for patients with serious injuries. Trauma center designations range from Level I to Level V:

Level I - A Level I trauma center delivers comprehensive care from prevention to treatment and rehabilitation. A general or trauma surgeon is available 24/7, with additional coverage from neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, plastic surgeons, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, emergency medicine doctors, critical care doctors, internal medicine doctors, pediatricians, anesthesiologists, and radiologists.

Level II - A Level II trauma center delivers comprehensive care for critical injuries. A general or trauma surgeon is available 24/7, with additional coverage from neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, emergency medicine doctors, critical care doctors, anesthesiologists, and radiologists.

Level III - A Level III trauma center delivers critical care services including resuscitation, surgery and intensive care. A general surgeon, anesthesiologist and other specialists are on-call, but not on-site 24/7. Emergency medicine doctors are available to deliver immediate care. If more comprehensive care is needed, patients may be transferred to a Level I or Level II trauma center.

Level IV - A level IV trauma center delivers advanced trauma life support (ATLS) that includes evaluating, diagnosing and stabilizing severely injured patients. Trauma nurses and doctors are immediately available when a patient arrives. Trauma care teams may provide surgery and other critical care services before transferring to a higher level trauma center.

Level V - A level V trauma center provides basic emergency care, including ATLS. Trauma nurses and doctors are immediately available upon a patient’s arrival. Trauma care teams evaluate, diagnose and stabilize severely injured patients and may provide surgery and other critical care services. If more advanced care is needed, patients may be transferred to a Level I, Level II or Level III trauma center.

Pediatric trauma care for children and teens

Pediatric trauma centers at Ascension sites of care are designated to diagnose and treat complex traumatic injuries for infants, children and teens. Your child’s trauma care team may include pediatric surgeons, neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, plastic surgeons, cardiologists, ophthalmologists, anesthesiologists, radiologists, certified child life specialists, social workers, injury prevention specialists, and more. Together, we collaborate to provide your child with comprehensive trauma care and follow-up care including imaging, pharmacy, and pediatric rehabilitation.

Injury and violence prevention

Trauma centers provide public health education and injury prevention programs in their communities. Trauma centers partner with local organizations to provide leadership, resources and effective interventions based on the specific needs of their communities. Trauma care teams at Ascension sites of care provide classes and safety guidelines focusing on the most common traumatic injuries and may provide support to help prevent injuries related to:

• Alcohol and substance use
• Drivers and pedestrians
• Drowning/water safety
• Falls (older adults and small children)
• Fires/burn safety
• Medications
• Poisoning
• Toy hazards
• Violence (caused by firearms, blunt objects or other weapons)

Care connected to our national team of specialists

When you choose Ascension sites of care, you have an entire team dedicated to your care. If you need more care, we will connect you to experienced cardiologists, vascular specialists, heart surgeons, neurologists and neurosurgeons, orthopedic specialists, oncologists, pediatric specialists and more for the right follow-up care. Your care team also helps you manage your medications and sends prescriptions to Ascension Rx or your preferred pharmacy. And you will be connected to imaging and lab services, close to home.

If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ER or dial 911. Signs or symptoms of an acute emergency may include shortness of breath, chest pain, open fracture, fainting, severe bleeding, head injury or other major trauma, one-sided weakness or numbness, loss of consciousness or fainting, severe abdominal pain, or bites or stings.