Trauma services for life-threatening injuries
If you experience a life-threatening or traumatic injury, trauma specialists at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis trauma center in Wichita, KS, have a dedicated team that works quickly to stabilize, diagnose and treat your condition. Backed by trauma surgeons, neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons and other surgical specialists, our trauma care team provides critical care for your specific needs. With state-of-the-art equipment, our trauma center also delivers advanced surgical care. Highly trained trauma surgeons and multidisciplinary care teams work together to provide comprehensive emergency medical care for your traumatic injury.
For referrals or transfers, call 800-353-3111.
Emergency rooms at Ascension Via Christi 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 also 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), and radiology. Your trauma care team may include a trauma surgeon, neurosurgeon, orthopedic surgeon, radiologist and other specialists. Trauma centers deliver advanced critical care for 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)
Level I trauma center
As a Level I trauma center, we deliver 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.
Pediatric trauma care for children and teens
At Ascension Via Christi, our care is 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 Via Christi, 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.