Trauma Center 101 A trauma center is a type of hospital with the
necessary resources and equipment to treat severely injured
patients. The American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma
classifies trauma centers as Level I to Level IV (Level I is the
highest level of care). Trauma centers in the United States are
an integral part of the emergency health care delivery system,
ensuring that millions of people injured each year receive the
necessary and appropriate treatment. According to the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), injuries are the
leading cause of death for children and adults ages 1–44. The
leading causes of trauma are motor vehicle accidents, falls, and
assaults. According to the University of California at San Diego
Health Center, a trauma occurs every four seconds, and the total
direct and indirect cost of trauma in the United States exceeds
$133 billion annually. In the United States, a hospital can
receive trauma center verification by meeting specific criteria
established by