What do the different levels of trauma centers mean?
A Level 3 facility provides care for most common traumatic injuries. These centers utilize Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) standards of care, transferring patients who require a higher level of care. A Level 2 facility is expected to provide initial definitive trauma care, regardless of injury severity. However, the Level 2 center may not be able to provide the same comprehensive care as a Level 1 center. A Level 3 facility provides advanced trauma life support (ATLS) prior to transfering the patient in areas where no higher level of care is available. A Level 4 facility must have a relationship with a Level 1, 2 or 3 trauma center. Patients are stablized and transfered to a higher level facility for trauma care.
