By Melanie Wolkoff Wachsman

Trauma centers in Kentucky, including the Level I trauma centers at University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital and Kentucky Children’s Hospital, will be recognized as part of the inaugural group of hospitals designated as members of the newly formed Kentucky Trauma Care System.

In all, 10 hospitals were recognized as part of the state’s first official statewide trauma system during the 2012 Statewide Trauma and Emergency Medicine Symposium.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) Committee on Trauma verifies trauma centers as Level I to Level III based upon the resources available at that facility. In addition, the state’s Trauma Advisory Committee has developed criteria that must be met by Level lV Trauma Centers. A Level I trauma center provides the greatest extent of trauma care services while Level IV trauma centers provide high quality initial trauma care locally and transfer to a higher level of trauma care if necessary.

Trauma centers recognized as part of the Kentucky Trauma System include:
• Level I trauma centers — UK Chandler Hospital (Lexington), Kentucky Children’s Hospital (Lexington), Kosair Children’s Hospital (Louisville), and University of Louisville Hospital.
• Level III trauma centers — Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center (Danville) and Taylor Regional Medical Center (Campbellsville)
• Level IV trauma centers — Ephraim McDowell Fort Logan Hospital (Stanford), James B Haggin Memorial Hospital (Harrodsburg), Livingston Hospital (Salem) and Marcum & Wallace Hospital (Irvine)

In March 2008, Kentucky lawmakers passed House Bill 371 which established the initial framework of a statewide trauma system and the formation of the Kentucky Trauma Advisory Committee. The law encouraged the establishment of trauma centers and the drafting of written transport protocols for EMS providers to better define which patients require transfer to a trauma center.

Additionally, the statewide trauma system provides better, standardized education for providers– from first responders and EMT/paramedics, to nurses, physicians and even hospital administrators.