Level I Trauma Center

The right care at the right time can be lifesaving

Most injuries you have can be treated in a doctor’s office or emergency department. Injuries that are traumatic often need expert, lifesaving care available at a Level I Trauma Center. This is the highest level of trauma care available in the U.S.

The Most Advanced Trauma Care Available

The question of where to go in a life or death emergency does not come up often for most people, if ever. When serious injuries do arise, IU Health is ready to help.

We are home to Indiana’s most established Level I Adult Trauma Center at IU Health Methodist Hospital. We are also home to the state’s only Level I Pediatric Trauma Center at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health. These are both located in Indianapolis.

We also offer the state's only Level III trauma centers—in Lafayette (IU Health Arnett Hospital) and in Muncie (IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital). IU Health Bloomington Hospital is working on Level III Trauma Center verification. This means we have the people and technology­­­­ to provide comprehensive care for any type of injury at any time.

A trauma center is not the same as an emergency department. At IU Health, our Trauma Centers provide advanced, comprehensive care for traumatic injuries. We give patients access to more resources and technology than they can receive in an emergency department. Trauma centers must have the following:

  • Operating rooms
  • Imaging technology
  • Trauma surgeons
  • Other specialty physicians available quickly at all times

Trauma centers must be dedicated to preventing injury, providing high-quality care and improving staff education for treating and assessing traumatic injuries.

Trauma refers to damage that the body sustains from an external force. Potential sources of trauma include automobile accidents, falls, and knife and gunshot wounds. Examples of trauma include:

  • Multiple fractures
  • Acute spine injuries
  • Punctured lungs
  • Stab wounds
  • Brain injuries

By delivering specialized care right away, the trauma centers of IU Health save lives and optimize recovery. Trauma centers are verified from levels one through four by the American College of Surgeons. Level I Trauma Centers offer the most complete set of services. These range from prevention through rehabilitation.

Fewer than 10 percent of U.S. hospitals have a trauma center. Fortunately, only a few patients have injuries severe enough to need these services. Most injuries can be treated in a typical emergency department or, in the case of milder strains and pains, at a primary care office or urgent care center.

When you have traumatic injuries, the right care at the right time can be lifesaving. At IU Health, we have assembled the people and resources to provide top-quality care for the most seriously injured patients—no matter when they come to us.

Our Services

Our trauma services ensure the best possible outcomes for the most critical cases. Through our affiliation with the Indiana University School of Medicine, our surgeons and emergency medicine physicians train the next generation of physicians. We also carry out innovative research in trauma care.

We're committed to making our full expertise and technology available at all times. That's what sets our trauma care apart. Our resources and services include:

Specialists

Our trauma team is available 24 hours a day. The team of specialists includes:

  • Trauma surgeons
  • Trauma nurses
  • Neurosurgeons
  • Orthopedic surgeons
  • Cardiothoracic specialists
  • Surgeons
  • Spine specialists

This team has several decades of experience managing patients with the most severe and complex injuries.

Advanced Technology

We are committed to the most innovative technologies. For example, our “hybrid suite” is an operating room equipped with advanced imaging options. In this suite, we combine traditional “open” surgery with minimally invasive approaches to control bleeding in severely injured and high-risk patients.

Other 24-hour key services include:

IU Health LifeLine

This 24-hour critical care transport service provides emergency helicopter and ground critical care transport, bringing patients rapidly from remote areas or community hospitals to our Level I Trauma Centers.

Rehabilitation

We make sure you have access to occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy and social services during your acute phase of care. From the time of injury to rehabilitation, we are committed to providing the highest level of care.

What To Expect

The Most Advanced Trauma Care Available

The question of where to go in a life or death emergency does not come up often for most people, if ever. When serious injuries do arise, IU Health is ready to help.

We are home to Indiana’s most established Level I Adult Trauma Center at IU Health Methodist Hospital. We are also home to the state’s only Level I Pediatric Trauma Center at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health. These are both located in Indianapolis.

We also offer the state's only Level III trauma centers—in Lafayette (IU Health Arnett Hospital) and in Muncie (IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital). IU Health Bloomington Hospital is working on Level III Trauma Center verification. This means we have the people and technology­­­­ to provide comprehensive care for any type of injury at any time.

A trauma center is not the same as an emergency department. At IU Health, our Trauma Centers provide advanced, comprehensive care for traumatic injuries. We give patients access to more resources and technology than they can receive in an emergency department. Trauma centers must have the following:

  • Operating rooms
  • Imaging technology
  • Trauma surgeons
  • Other specialty physicians available quickly at all times

Trauma centers must be dedicated to preventing injury, providing high-quality care and improving staff education for treating and assessing traumatic injuries.

Trauma refers to damage that the body sustains from an external force. Potential sources of trauma include automobile accidents, falls, and knife and gunshot wounds. Examples of trauma include:

  • Multiple fractures
  • Acute spine injuries
  • Punctured lungs
  • Stab wounds
  • Brain injuries

By delivering specialized care right away, the trauma centers of IU Health save lives and optimize recovery. Trauma centers are verified from levels one through four by the American College of Surgeons. Level I Trauma Centers offer the most complete set of services. These range from prevention through rehabilitation.

Fewer than 10 percent of U.S. hospitals have a trauma center. Fortunately, only a few patients have injuries severe enough to need these services. Most injuries can be treated in a typical emergency department or, in the case of milder strains and pains, at a primary care office or urgent care center.

When you have traumatic injuries, the right care at the right time can be lifesaving. At IU Health, we have assembled the people and resources to provide top-quality care for the most seriously injured patients—no matter when they come to us.

Our Services

Our trauma services ensure the best possible outcomes for the most critical cases. Through our affiliation with the Indiana University School of Medicine, our surgeons and emergency medicine physicians train the next generation of physicians. We also carry out innovative research in trauma care.

We're committed to making our full expertise and technology available at all times. That's what sets our trauma care apart. Our resources and services include:

Specialists

Our trauma team is available 24 hours a day. The team of specialists includes:

  • Trauma surgeons
  • Trauma nurses
  • Neurosurgeons
  • Orthopedic surgeons
  • Cardiothoracic specialists
  • Surgeons
  • Spine specialists

This team has several decades of experience managing patients with the most severe and complex injuries.

Advanced Technology

We are committed to the most innovative technologies. For example, our “hybrid suite” is an operating room equipped with advanced imaging options. In this suite, we combine traditional “open” surgery with minimally invasive approaches to control bleeding in severely injured and high-risk patients.

Other 24-hour key services include:

IU Health LifeLine

This 24-hour critical care transport service provides emergency helicopter and ground critical care transport, bringing patients rapidly from remote areas or community hospitals to our Level I Trauma Centers.

Rehabilitation

We make sure you have access to occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy and social services during your acute phase of care. From the time of injury to rehabilitation, we are committed to providing the highest level of care.

Patient Stories for Level I Trauma Center