"Transfer if specialized care or intensive care is needed."

Level I Trauma CenterResources:• Highest level of equipment and specialty services• Full range of surgical subspecialties• University-based teaching hospital (usually)Services:• Comprehensive trauma care for all injuries• Leadership in prevention, education, research, and rehabilitationStaffing:• 24/7 in-house surgical specialists (neuro, ortho, anesthesia, critical care)• Residency and research programsRole:• Regional referral and research hub• Admits ≥1,200 trauma patients per year or ≥240 with Injury Severity Score >15

Level II Trauma CenterResources:• High-level resources but fewer specialties than Level IServices:• Provides definitive trauma care for most injuries• Can perform emergency and surgical proceduresStaffing:• 24/7 general surgical coverage• Essential specialists availableRole:• Manages most trauma cases• Transfers very complex or rare cases to Level I

Level III Trauma CenterResources:• Moderate trauma resources• Serves communities without nearby Level I or II centersServices:• Assessment, resuscitation, emergency operations, stabilization• Transfers severe cases to higher levelsStaffing:• Continuous general surgical coverage• Emergency physicians and general surgeonsRole:• Stabilizes and transfers severe cases• May provide education and system leadership in remote areas

Level IV Trauma CenterResources:• Basic trauma resources• Minimal surgical capability (mainly in rural settings)Services:• Initial evaluation and basic life support• Stabilization before transferStaffing:• 24-hour emergency coverage by physician or midlevel clinicianRole:• First point of care in remote areas• Transfers all major injuries to higher-level centers• Participates in data reporting and system performance improvement

Level I Trauma Center• Highest level of equipment and specialty services• Full range of surgical subspecialties• 24/7 comprehensive trauma care• Leadership in prevention, education, research• 24/7 in-house surgical specialists• Regional referral and research hub

Level II Trauma Center• High-level resources but fewer specialties• Definitive trauma care for most injuries• 24/7 general surgical coverage• Manages most trauma cases• Transfers complex cases to Level I

Level III Trauma Center• Moderate trauma resources• Assessment, resuscitation, stabilization• Emergency physicians and general surgeons• Stabilizes and transfers severe cases

Level IV Trauma Center• Basic trauma resources• Initial evaluation and basic life support• 24-hour emergency coverage• Transfers major injuries to Levels I–III

"Transfer if advanced surgery or rare specialties are required.""Transfer if the case is severe or needs advanced surgery."