Trauma Center Designation

Children's Hospital Los Angeles was among the first to be designated as a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center by Los Angeles County in 1983 – when the regional trauma system first developed – and we have maintained our status ever since.

Regulatory Compliance

To be designated as a Trauma Center that treats children, a hospital must meet stringent government regulations. The EMS Agency of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services oversees implementation of the county regulations. Compliance is assessed through annual site surveys and audits. 

As a Level I Trauma Center, the Trauma Program at Children's Hospital Los Angeles must provide:

• Outstanding trauma patient care from admission through all phases of care and follow-up
• A multidisciplinary trauma quality improvement system
• 24 hour call-panels of board-certified physicians
• Approved intensive care unit
• Available operating rooms, blood bank, radiology, rehabilitation
• Trauma research and injury prevention activities

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) also specifies standards for pediatric trauma care.  Achieving and maintaining ACS verification as a Regional Pediatric Trauma Center necessitates delivery of state-of-the-art treatment, teaching and research in pediatric trauma.