Hospital Trauma Classification Process

Hospital classification as a trauma care facility in Wisconsin

As of June 2024, Wisconsin has 98 of 133 potential hospitals participating in its trauma system, with 11% of them being American College of Surgeons verified Level I or II and the remaining 64% being a Level III or IV trauma care facility classified by the state as a part of their voluntary participation in the state trauma system. For information on which hospitals are designated as what, view the Trauma Care System Hospital Map.

Participation in Wisconsin's trauma system is voluntary

The state has focused efforts on strengthening communications to maintain relationships and interest in the system at the state level, and on increased visibility at the regional level.

Wisconsin's integrated system of trauma care requires the identification of hospitals as trauma care facilities by using the Level I, II, III, IV or "unclassified" structure. This inclusive system recognizes that all hospitals in Wisconsin (and neighboring states) have an important role in providing optimal treatment to the injured patient. It is imperative that patients are delivered in a timely manner to the closest appropriate hospital matching resources to the needs of the severely injured patient.

In active pursuit of trauma care facility classification

In an effort to better recognize facilities in Wisconsin who are actively working towards trauma care facility classification, the trauma program has an In Active Pursuit (IAP) status for intending trauma care facilities. Facilities who are unclassified and in active pursuit to be a level III or IV trauma care facility, classified by the State of Wisconsin, and have submitted the appropriate documentation outlined below will be recognized. Facilities in the IAP status are still considered unclassified facilities. This is entirely a voluntary status and initiated by facilities.

For a facility to be recognized as in active pursuit of trauma care facility classification, they must meet the following requirements,

• Submit a letter of intent to classify as a trauma care facility including intended level and a date of which your facility intends to have a site visit within the next 18 months.
• Submit evidence of reporting data to the trauma registry for at least one quarter through the “Patient Registry Data Entry Compliance” ImageTrend shared report.
• Submit evidence of participation in the appropriate Regional Trauma Advisory Council (RTAC) and Statewide Trauma Advisory Council (STAC) through meeting attendance records.
• Provide evidence that a hospital trauma multidisciplinary committee has been developed through a draft Performance Improvement and Patient Safety (PIPS) plan than include who will attend, how often, and what cases will be discussed.

All items should be submitted to the DHS Trauma Team at DHSTrauma@dhs.wisconsin.gov.

Trauma care facility levels

The following defines each level for trauma care facilities:

• Level I: Hospital is characterized by capability to provide leadership and total care for every aspect of traumatic injury from prevention through rehabilitation, including research.
• Level II: Hospital provides the initial definitive trauma care regardless of the severity of injury, but differs from Level I in teaching and research capability.
• Level III: Hospital provides assessment, resuscitation, stabilization, and emergency surgery and arranges transfer to a Level I or II facility for definitive surgical and intensive care as necessary.
• Level IV: Facility provides stabilization and advanced trauma life support prior to patient transfer to a Level I or II.
• Unclassified: Hospital has chosen not to be part of the Trauma Care System or has not been approved as a Level I, II, III or IV.