Trauma can range from a broken bone or a minor head injury to a serious injury that puts a life or limb at risk. And it’s more common than most people realize. From car crashes to falls, violence, and workplace injuries, trauma can happen suddenly, without warning, and require immediate, highly specialized care.
That’s why trauma centers exist. And its why UC Health continues to lead the region in trauma expertise—bringing lifesaving care closer to home while also offering the most advanced treatments available through its Level I and Level III trauma centers.
Whether you’re a patient, a caregiver, or a community member, knowing what trauma is and where to go can make all the difference.
What Is Trauma?
In medicine, “trauma” refers to any physical injury caused by an external force. This includes everything from traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and spinal trauma to internal bleeding, fractures, and burns. It often involves multiple body systems at once and can result from:
- Motor vehicle collisions
- Falls (especially among older adults)
- Gunshot wounds or stabbings
- Workplace accidents
- Sports injuries
- Assault or physical violence
Trauma isn’t always visible. Some injuries, like internal bleeding or brain swelling, don’t show clear signs until it’s almost too late. That’s why fast, accurate diagnosis and the right level of care are so critical.
What Is a Trauma Center?
Not every hospital is equipped to handle trauma. A trauma center is a hospital that meets strict national standards for treating patients with the most serious injuries. These centers are verified by the American College of Surgeons and fall into different levels based on the available surgical specialties and resources:
- Level I Trauma Center: The highest designation. These centers provide 24/7 access to trauma surgeons, advanced imaging, specialty services (like neurosurgery and orthopedics), and are often part of an academic medical center involved in research and education.
- Level II Trauma Center: Similar resources to Level I but may not offer the same breadth of specialty services or have a research mission.
- Level III Trauma Center: These centers are capable of providing prompt assessment, resuscitation, surgery, and stabilization. They have protocols in place for seamless transfer to a higher-level trauma center when needed. However, many Level III Trauma Centers admit their injured patients, keeping them close to home.
It is important to note that Trauma center levels do not determine the commitment level to provide quality care to injured patients.
UC Health: Trauma Care Without Gaps
UC Health is the region’s only academic health system and home to the area’s most complete trauma care program. Here’s what that means for you:
- UC Medical Center in Clifton is a Level I Trauma Center, verified for providing the highest level of trauma care 24/7.
- UC Medical Center has held this prestigious verification since 1997, demonstrating our commitment to providing the highest standard of care to injured patients.
- West Chester Hospital (WCH) is a Level III Trauma Center, but here’s what makes it stand out: The same trauma experts—surgeons, emergency doctors, and critical care specialists—staff both hospitals. You won’t find that anywhere else in Greater Cincinnati.
- WCH has been verified by the American College of Surgeons since 2014
WCH Trauma Center keeps many of its patients local and close to home. However, if a patient at West Chester needs a higher level of care, they’re transferred quickly to UC Medical Center, with no disruption in care. Thanks to a shared electronic medical record and a unified trauma surgery team, everything stays connected.
That kind of continuity can be the difference between survival and setback.
Common Trauma Injuries—and How They’re Treated
UC Health’s trauma teams treat everything from routine to life-threatening injuries:
- Internal Injuries: Damage to organs or blood vessels may not be obvious but can be fatal without quick action.
- Penetrating Injuries: Like gunshot or stab wounds, these demand fast surgical intervention and critical care.
- Fractures: Complex breaks often need surgery, especially in the pelvis, hips, or spine.
- Polytraumas: In coordination with all surgical specialties, when two or more severe injuries occur in different body areas.
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Swelling or bleeding in the brain requires rapid imaging and possibly neurosurgery.
- Spinal Trauma: Requires precise evaluation and often immediate immobilization and imaging.
What’s more, UC Health also focuses on recovery, offering physical rehabilitation, mental health support, and long-term follow-up—all within the same system.
Preventing Trauma in the First Place
While UC Health is built to respond to trauma, the ultimate goal is prevention. The UC Health and our Injury Prevention Team are active in community education efforts, especially during Trauma Awareness Month each May.
Look out for:
- Free injury prevention workshops
- Road safety and fall-prevention education
- CPR and Stop the Bleed™ trainings
- Hospital-based Violence Intervention Program (HVIP)
- School and workplace safety programs
Because sometimes the best trauma care is the one you never need.
Why UC Health?
People don’t choose trauma—they just want to survive it. But when every second matters, where you go for care absolutely matters.
UC Health offers:
- Level I and Level III verified trauma centers
- A shared trauma surgery team between both hospitals
- Academic emergency physicians on every shift
- Faster access to surgery, critical care, and research-backed treatments
- A single medical record across the entire system
- A commitment to healing—before, during, and after injury
Get Involved. Get Prepared. Get Care That’s Built Different.
Whether you’re recovering from an injury, concerned about a loved one, or want to help your community stay safer, UC Health is here.
- Explore upcoming Trauma Awareness Month events.
- Learn more about injury prevention and recovery.
- For non-emergency consultations and follow-up care, schedule a visit with a UC Health specialist today.
If you or someone you love has experienced a serious injury, don’t wait. Call 911 or go to the nearest trauma center.