Wishard Memorial Hospital was home to the first Level I Trauma Center in the state and is still one of only two Level I Trauma Centers in Indiana. As a Level I Trauma Center, Wishard offers the highest quality and range of trauma care to our patients. Trauma centers are critical in trauma-related research, injury prevention and reduction of trauma-related disability and death. Wishard's trauma center is capable of providing optimal care for every aspect of injury - from prevention through rehabilitation.
Established by the American College of Surgeons in 1987, the Committee on Trauma Verification/Consultation Program for Hospitals promotes the development of trauma centers in which participants provide not only the hospital resources necessary for trauma care, but also the entire spectrum of care to address the needs of all injured patients. This spectrum encompasses the pre-hospital 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 Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient manual.