TAMPA BAY’S FIRST AND ONLY LEVEL I TRAUMA CENTER, WHICH MAKES US THE BEST AT MAKING SURE YOU GET A SECOND CHANCE
Level I Trauma Centers like TGH's Wallace Trauma Center are equipped to care for the most critically ill and injured adult and pediatric patients with dedicated resources available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Onsite team members and resources include trauma surgeons, neurosurgeons and other surgical specialists, non-surgical specialists, medical personnel, equipment and facilities.
LEVEL I TRAUMA CENTER: WHY IT MATTERS
American College of Surgeons Verification
Tampa General Hospital is the only Level I Trauma Center in West Central Florida providing treatment to adult and pediatric patients with critical injuries. We were the first hospital in Florida to achieve national Level I Trauma Center verification from the American College of Surgeons (ACS). A review team from the ACS, consisting of nationally recognized experts in trauma care, performed an in-depth, on-site assessment of every aspect of TGH’s trauma program. The ACS recognizes the TGH Level I Trauma Center for its dedication to providing optimal care for adults and children, as well as its demonstrated commitment to education, research and community outreach.
24/7 Onsite Trauma Team
Unlike Level II Trauma Centers, our multidisciplinary team of physicians, specialty surgeons, nurses and other healthcare specialists is onsite 24/7 and committed to providing excellent and compassionate care to all victims of trauma. This unique immediate availability and expertise of specialty-trained professionals at Level I Trauma Centers has been linked to increased patient survival and functional outcomes compared to Level II Trauma Centers*. Our extensive resources allow us to provide world-class care for all aspects of an injury, from prevention to rehabilitation.
World-Class Experience and Expertise
Level I Trauma Centers also require a certain volume of severe injury patients, meaning we treat more trauma patients than any other trauma center in the region. TGH treats more than 2,500 trauma patients each year, including severely injured patients and those with uncommon injuries that require the resources of a Level I Trauma Center.
Leadership in Education and Research
Level I Trauma Centers also are required to provide leadership in education, research and community outreach. As the region’s first and largest teaching hospital, Tampa General partners with the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine to pioneer breakthrough treatments, conduct game-changing clinical research and train the next generation of trauma healthcare professionals. TGH also serves as a leader in community education and prevention of injuries.
Specialty Trauma
TGH is Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program (BSCIP) designated by the Florida Department of Health as well as one of four burn centers in Florida verified by the American Burn Association. We serve as a regional resource for subspecialty care not always available at surrounding Level II Trauma Centers and other hospitals.
Pediatric Trauma
TGH is also a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center verified by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) in the state of Florida. As the only Level I Pediatric Trauma Center on the West Coast of Florida, specialists, including pediatric surgeons and pediatric neurosurgeons, are onsite 24/7 providing the highest level of trauma care for children.
Pediatric inpatients are cared for within Tampa General Hospital’s Children’s Hospital.
Aeromed
Patients with traumatic injuries have the greatest chance of survival if they reach a trauma center within sixty minutes of their injury – the period known as the “golden hour.” To save time, patients are often transported to trauma centers by helicopter. TGH’s aeromedical transport program* - Aeromed – is equipped with the most advanced life-support equipment to transport critically ill or injured patients. Patients are being transported from 23 surrounding counties. Patients may be transferred to a Level I Trauma Center like TGH when a physician feels the patient’s needs exceed the capabilities of their current facility or the patient would benefit from services available at a Level I Trauma Center.
*Air transport services provided by Metro Aviation, Inc.
FACTS ABOUT TGH’S LEVEL I TRAUMA CENTER
- Nearly 500 severely injured (ISS>15) treated each year
- Only Level I trauma center in West Central Florida and the first verified American College of Surgeons (ACS) Level I trauma center in the state of Florida
- Only verified ACS Level I Pediatric trauma center in Florida
- Designated Florida Department of Health Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program (BSCIP)
- Specialty surgeons are available for the following trauma cases: cardiac, hand, microsurgery, obstetric/gynecologic, ophthalmic, oral/maxillofacial, orthopedic, otorhinolaryngologic, plastic, thoracic and urologic.
- TGH operates six aeromedical helicopters* to transport trauma patients from 23 surrounding counties.
- Treats patients of ALL ages
- Dedicated trauma operating rooms are always ready
- Participates in an inclusive system of trauma care, including providing leadership, system evaluation and quality improvement activities.