Specialty4 min read
Trauma care and surgery
Trauma care is the rapid treatment of seriously injured patients, led by trauma surgeons. High-quality trauma care prevents deaths and reduces disability.
WHO says that injuries kill about 4.4 million people a year (nearly 8% of deaths), and that about 90% of injury deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Causes include road traffic crashes (about a third of deaths), suicide, homicide, war, and falls (more than 684,000 deaths a year). In the 5 to 29 age group, three of the top five causes of death are injury-related. It notes that good trauma care prevents deaths, reduces disability and supports physical and emotional recovery.
Trauma centres in the United States are classified by care resources into Levels I to V (StatPearls): Level I is comprehensive from injury through rehabilitation with surgery around the clock; Level II begins treatment of all injured patients with general surgery and multiple specialties around the clock and may transfer complex cases; Level III provides rapid assessment, resuscitation, surgery and stabilisation; Level IV applies Advanced Trauma Life Support protocols before transfer; and Level V provides assessment, initial management and preparation for transfer. The American College of Surgeons verification is renewed every three years, and deaths are fewer in verified centres. This is a US system; national systems differ.
In one minute123
- What is it?
- The care and surgery of seriously injured patients.
- Who is usually affected?
- People who have had accidents, falls, violence or road traffic injuries.
- Acute or chronic?
- Emergency, then rehabilitation.
- Main symptoms
- Depends on the injury: bleeding, fractures, loss of consciousness.
- Red flags?
- Yes: every serious injury calls for ambulance help immediately.
- Preventable?
- Road safety, preventing falls and drowning, and violence prevention.
What is it?
According to StatPearls: the level of a trauma centre (I to V) indicates the resources available for caring for the injured patient. The American College of Surgeons defines trauma programmes as concerned with education, quality improvement, verification, systems development, advocacy and injury prevention to ensure the best outcomes.
Conditions it covers
WHO figures: 4.4 million deaths a year from injuries (3.16 million unintentional and 1.25 million from violence), twice as many males as females, road traffic crashes about one in three injury deaths, fall injuries more than 684,000 deaths, and about 90% in low- and middle-income countries. Injuries are preventable by evidence-based interventions.
Related pages on this site: the skeleton, the muscles, the brain and the circulatory system (bleeding).
Common tests and procedures
US trauma centre levels: I comprehensive from injury to rehabilitation with surgery 24 hours; II begins treatment of all injured patients with general surgery and multiple specialties 24 hours and may transfer complex cases; III assessment, management, surgery and stabilisation with emergency and general surgery 24 hours; IV applies Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) protocols before transfer; V initial assessment and management and preparation for transfer (StatPearls). The College's verification is valid for three years, and deaths are significantly fewer in verified centres. The terminology is American.
The American College of Surgeons mentions the STOP THE BLEED programme to train the general public in controlling severe bleeding.
When to see one
WHO says that good trauma care prevents deaths, reduces disability and supports the physical and emotional recovery of the injured.
When do you need urgent help?
Call emergency services now 998
Educational content only — no diagnosis, and no substitute for a clinician.
Common questions
Is the higher level of trauma centre always better for every injured patient?
StatPearls describes the levels by the resources available; the injured person is directed to the facility most suitable for their condition according to the local ambulance system.2
Questions for your doctor
- Which injuries need a trauma centre?
- How is my care coordinated after discharge and rehabilitation?
- What can I do to prevent repeated injuries?
References
- 1WHO. Injuries and violence — Fact sheet. www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/injuries-and-violenceHealth agencies & guidelines · Accessed 2026-10-06
- 2StatPearls / NCBI Bookshelf. Trauma center designation and levels. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560553Educational & historical references · Accessed 2026-10-06
- 3American College of Surgeons. Trauma programs. www.facs.org/quality-programs/trauma/Educational & historical references · Accessed 2026-10-06
Review status: Edited content · Last updated:
Change log
- — Page created.
Educational content only — no diagnosis, and no substitute for a clinician.