UC Davis Medical Center re-verified as level I trauma center by American College of Surgeons

UC Davis Medical Center has been re-verified as a level I trauma center and a level I pediatric trauma center by the American College of Surgeons (ACS). This achievement recognizes the trauma centers' dedication to transforming trauma care for optimal outcomes and meets Sacramento County EMS Agency requirements for the medical center's designation as a trauma center for Sacramento County.

As California’s only level I trauma center north of San Francisco, UC Davis Medical Center is one of only three in the state with level I verification for both adult and pediatric trauma.

“We’re proud to have met the rigorous standards for level I trauma verification by the American College of Surgeons,” said Brad Simmons, chief administrator of UC Davis Medical Center and chief operating officer of UC Davis Health Hospital Division. “This designation represents our ability and commitment to providing the highest level of trauma care to patients throughout Sacramento and the Northern California region.”

The ACS Committee on Trauma’s Consultation/Verification Program for Hospitals was established by the American College of Surgeons in 1987. It promotes the development of trauma centers in which participants are assessed for commitment, readiness, resources, policies, patient care, performance improvement, and other relevant features as outlined in Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient standards. Trauma care is evaluated from the preadmission phase through the rehabilitation process.

Verified trauma centers must meet the essential criteria that ensure trauma care capability and institutional performance, as outlined by the American College of Surgeons' Committee on Trauma in its current developed standards, Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient manual.

There are three levels of verification for adult hospitals and two for pediatric hospitals. Level I trauma centers provide t comprehensive trauma care for all injuries, have an important role in trauma system development, regional disaster planning, increasing capacity, and advancing trauma care through research. 

This designation represents our ability and commitment to providing the highest level of trauma care to patients throughout Sacramento and the Northern California region.” —Brad Simmons

“I am proud of our organization’s commitment, medical expertise, depth of resources and leadership to achieve verification as a level I trauma center,” said Rachael A. Callcut, division chief of the Division of Trauma, Acute Care Surgery and Surgical Critical Care and professor of surgery. “The unwavering dedication and passion for trauma care that is exhibited by the multiple disciplines that make up the extended trauma care team allow us to be ready and able to provide the highest level of care to patients in their moment of need.”

A level I trauma center provides the highest level of surgical care to trauma patients. It has a full range of specialists and equipment available 24 hours a day and must admit at least 1,200 trauma patients a year or have 240 admissions with an Injury Severity Score of more than 15 for adults, and admit 200 or more injured patients under 15 years of age for pediatrics. UC Davis Medical Center far exceeds these minimum requirements, admitting over 4,000 trauma patients annually.

UC Davis Medical Center provides level I trauma care for a region covering six million people in 33 counties, spread across 65,000 square miles.

“This is an incredible testament to the high-quality emergency and trauma care being provided each day at UC Davis Health,” said Joseph M. Galante, trauma medical director and professor of surgery. “I am proud to be a part of an institution that is willing to commit the resources required to provide excellent patient care and improve health outcomes for our community, the region and beyond.”

UC Davis Medical Center is one of only six level I pediatric trauma centers throughout California, serving as a referral resource for hospitals throughout Northern California, western Nevada and southern Oregon. The department also provides immediate assistance using telemedicine to seriously ill and injured children in remote locations. The telemedicine program is connected to more than 25 emergency departments, three inpatient wards and a community intensive care unit.

“With our level I re-verification for both adult and pediatric trauma centers, we have reaffirmed our commitment to providing world-class care to the most severely injured children,” said Jonathan Kohler, pediatric trauma medical director and associate professor of Surgery. “Parents throughout Northern California can know that UC Davis will provide their injured child – and their whole family – with the best trauma care.”

The American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS COT) is to develop  and implement programs that support injury prevention and ensure optimal patient outcomes across the continuum of care. These programs incorporate advocacy, education, trauma center and trauma system resources, best practice creation, outcome assessment, and continuous quality improvement.