When an injured patient presents to a non-trauma hospital, and a provider determines that the needs of the patient exceed the capabilities of the hospital, she faces a critical decision: where to send the patient? Hospital referral patterns may be predetermined by inter-facility transfer agreements, but they may also be informed by evidence regarding hospital outcomes. For example, a limited amount of evidence suggests that patients with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) have improved survival when treated at ACS Level I trauma centers compared with ACS Level II trauma centers.
Invited Commentary: The Effect of Trauma Center Verification on Outcomes of Traumatic Brain Injury Patients Undergoing Interfacility Transfer.