When severe injuries occur, seconds matter. At Tampa General Hospital's Wallace Trauma Center, patients receive the highest level of trauma care available in the region. As Tampa Bay's only Level I Trauma Center, Tampa General provides comprehensive, around-the-clock care for adults and children facing life-threatening injuries.
Level I trauma centers represent the highest designation in trauma care. These centers maintain immediate access to specialized trauma surgeons, emergency physicians, critical care teams and subspecialists, supported by advanced technology and dedicated facilities. They also serve as leaders in trauma education, research and injury prevention.
At Tampa General, this designation reflects more than resources—it represents a coordinated system of care designed to deliver rapid, expert treatment for the most complex injuries, from serious vehicle crashes and penetrating injuries to severe falls and multisystem trauma. Our teams work closely with regional EMS agencies and referring hospitals to ensure patients receive the right level of care as quickly as possible. This seamless approach is enhanced by the resources of Tampa General’s Emergency Services Institute, which provides comprehensive emergency care, critical care transport and specialty services across the region.
What Is a Level 1 Trauma Center?
Level I trauma centers meet the most rigorous national standards for trauma care. These centers are capable of managing the most complex trauma cases, such as severe car accidents, gunshot wounds or major falls. At Tampa General, this means:
- 24/7 immediate availability of trauma surgeons and specialty physicians
- Dedicated trauma operating rooms and critical care units
- Advanced diagnostic and treatment capabilities
- Leadership in trauma education, research and prevention
- Coordination with regional EMS and hospital partners
These resources allow Tampa General to care for the most severely injured patients and serve as a referral destination for hospitals across West Central Florida.
Trauma Care by the Numbers
Tampa General's trauma program treats thousands of patients each year, giving our teams the experience needed to manage the most complex injuries. In 2024, trauma volumes were:
- Adult Trauma Patients: 3,994
- Pediatric Trauma Patients: 565
- Total Admitted Trauma Patients: 4,224
- Severe Trauma (ISS >15): 641 patients (15.2%)
This high volume of critically injured patients strengthens clinical expertise and supports ongoing advancements in trauma care.
Learn More About Our Trauma Center
American College of Surgeons Verification
Tampa General Hospital was the first hospital in Florida to earn American College of Surgeons (ACS) verification for both adult and pediatric Level I trauma care, a distinction that reflects the highest national standards for trauma readiness and performance. This rigorous verification process includes an in-depth review of every aspect of the trauma program, from clinical resources and staffing to quality improvement, education, research, and community outreach. For patients and families, ACS verification signals that Tampa General has the people, processes and expertise in place to deliver comprehensive trauma care at the highest level, whenever it is needed.
Adult Trauma Care
Adult trauma patients receive 24/7 care through the Wallace Trauma Center, where specialized teams are prepared to treat the most severe injuries at any time of day or night. Trauma surgeons, emergency physicians, critical care specialists and surgical subspecialists collaborate to manage complex injuries involving multiple organ systems.
Our multidisciplinary trauma teams provide comprehensive care from the moment a patient arrives through surgery, intensive care, rehabilitation and recovery.
Pediatric Trauma Care
Children who experience serious injuries require specialized expertise and resources. Tampa General provides Level I pediatric trauma care, with pediatric-trained trauma surgeons, neurosurgeons and subspecialists available 24/7.
Young patients benefit from coordinated care with specialists across Tampa General and the Pediatric Emergency and Trauma team at TGH's Muma Children's Hospital.
Rapid Access Through Aeromed
Timely transport can be critical after a traumatic injury. Tampa General's Aeromed program provides advanced air and ground critical care transport from 23 surrounding counties, allowing patients to reach a Level I Trauma Center quickly—often within the "golden hour" (within sixty minutes of their injury) when early treatment can significantly improve outcomes.
Injury Prevention & Community Outreach
Preventing injuries before they occur is a vital part of trauma care. Tampa General's trauma program leads a variety of community education and injury prevention initiatives designed to reduce preventable injuries across the region.
Programs focus on issues such as:
- Motor vehicle crash prevention
- Fall prevention for older adults
- Bicycle and pedestrian safety
- Community trauma awareness and preparedness
Through partnerships with local organizations, schools and community groups, these efforts help improve safety and reduce trauma-related injuries throughout Tampa Bay.
Leadership in Education & Trauma Research
As part of an academic health system, Tampa General plays a leading role in trauma education and clinical research. Our trauma faculty work closely with USF Health Morsani College of Medicine to train future physicians, surgeons and healthcare professionals.
Educational programs include training for surgery residents, trauma fellows, emergency medicine providers and EMS personnel. Ongoing research initiatives help advance trauma treatment protocols, improve outcomes and contribute to national trauma care standards.
Specialty Trauma Expertise
Tampa General provides access to highly specialized trauma services not always available at other hospitals. These include:
- Brain and spinal cord injury care through a Florida Department of Health–designated Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program (BSCIP)
- Advanced burn care through our American Burn Association–verified TGH Burn Center: A TECO Partnership
- Access to specialized surgeons across multiple disciplines, including orthopedic, neurosurgical, cardiac/cardiothoracic, vascular, urologic, OB/GYN, plastic, ophthalmologic and maxillofacial surgery, among others
These multidisciplinary resources allow the trauma team to treat complex injuries that require coordinated expertise across multiple specialties.
Support for Trauma Survivors
Recovery from a traumatic injury often continues long after leaving the hospital. Tampa General connects patients and families with resources designed to support healing, recovery and community connection.
Trauma Survivors Network (TSN) provides educational materials, peer support and recovery tools for trauma survivors and their loved ones.
Meet the Trauma Team
Behind every trauma activation is a highly trained team of surgeons, physicians, nurses and specialists dedicated to delivering life-saving care.
