Life is full of unexpected events: both happy ones, like the birth of a baby, and, unfortunately, tragic ones too. Hospitals have designated “units”—areas with specialized medical experts, staff, and equipment—ready to help.
When the unthinkable happens, trauma centers are there
We don’t like to think about it, but any one of us can, without warning, suffer a bad injury as a result of physical force.
Doctors call this a trauma injury. Trauma injury can result from a motor vehicle crash, bad sports accident, gunshot, fall, fire, physical assault, and more.
Because anyone can experience a traumatic event at any time, Pennsylvania’s 38 accredited trauma centers are always prepared to help. They’re open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and receive special funding from the state to ensure they can provide the specialized services and medical experts needed.
Pennsylvania’s trauma centers have treated more than 816,000 patients since 1985 and have averaged 40,000 patients each year since 2010, according to The Hospital & Health system Association of Pennsylvania.
Wilkes-Barre General Hospital is one of two accredited trauma centers in its region, joining Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, according to The Citizens’ Voice.
Months after becoming a Level II trauma center, Wilkes-Barre General unveiled a $40 million expansion project that includes a helipad on top of the emergency department.
“The helipad will save transport time to General’s Level II trauma center when it’s most critical,” Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tony George said.
Find your nearest trauma center.
Specialized Care for Life-threatening Burns
Burn injuries continue to be one of the leading causes of accidental death and injury in the U.S. Children, the elderly, and the disabled are especially vulnerable to burn injuries.
Burn centers provide specialized care to patients with life-threatening burns. The American Burn Association reports that 96 percent of patients admitted to U.S. burn centers survive.
The vital services these centers provide include wound care, skin grafts, and reconstructive surgery for patients who experience first-, second-, or third-degree burns as a result of fire, chemical exposure, or other means.
Pennsylvania has six hospital burn centers with top surgeons and experienced nurses and therapists to treat patients with severe burn injuries. These burn centers receive special funding from the state to ensure they can provide the specialized services needed to treat burn victims, saving lives and improving the quality of life for burn survivors and their families.
Our state’s burn centers have treated more than 3,000 patients each year since 2012. These centers are:
- Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh
- Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Delaware County
- Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown
- Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia
- Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia
- UPMC Mercy in Pittsburgh