Just a word of caution about the status of trauma centers. All that they are is a number...it really does not dictate a lot about the amount of trauma that one sees. Let me give you an example.
I am at a hospital that is located in the city that just again reclaimed status as the "Most Dangerous City in America." We are not a Level 1 Trauma Center by ACS standards, and we are actually hoping to gain approval as a level 2 Trauma Center; however, the state has designated us as a trauma center. We get more priority 1 EMS runs than any other hospital in the city (4 EM residency programs in the city). We probably see more and do more trauma than anyone else in the city. In addition, we have a great relationship with the Truama Surgery staff so we do not alternate running traumas vs. doing procedures. It is always run by the ED staff, and the procedures are done by the ED residents and staff. Chest Tubes - ED resident, Thoracotomies - ED resident, Airway - ED resident, FAST exams - ED resident.
Someone told me that Level 1 ACS means that Truama Surgery needs to have a heavy hand in the way that traumas are run. I do not know if this is the case. I do know that the designation of level 1 status depends on who you have in-house or available for being on call in the event of trauma.
The word of caution here is ask the residents to see their procedure logs. Find out who runs the traumas. Find out what type of traumas they get. Find out who does the pediatric traumas. Find out who does the procedures. Don't get hung up on Level 1 status as you may overlook some great programs.
