What are the benefits of having a Level I trauma center in the community?
A. Since the development of trauma systems, preventable deaths due to trauma have decreased dramatically from up to 50 percent to less than 3 percent. It is likely that all of us know or will know someone who is seriously injured. Most of us do not consider or prepare for this possibility. When someone you love is injured, it gives great comfort to know that the best care is immediately available. Furthermore, there is a halo effect to the entire medical center. The tremendous resources required to be a trauma center are available to all patients at the medical center. This appears to improve care and outcomes of even non-trauma patients. Lastly, in the event of a major disaster, the trauma center is an invaluable resource for saving lives.
