Trauma Centers

Key highlights of trauma and injury prevention for the state of Indiana are:

• Injury is the leading cause of death for Hoosiers under the age of 45 and the fifth leading cause of death for Hoosiers of all ages.
• Problems posed by injury are most acute in our rural areas.
• A major way that states address the problem of trauma is through the design, implementation and oversight of a statewide trauma system. The IDOH has that statutory responsibility in Indiana.

• Indiana has in place several elements of a statewide trauma system, but we don’t yet have what can honestly be described as a “system.” Other challenges with our current approach to trauma include:
  • We don’t have enough EMS providers, especially in rural areas.
  • There aren’t enough trauma centers.
  • At the state level, not all components of the trauma system are located in the same state agency.

  See the Trauma White Paper for more information about the trauma system in Indiana.

Indiana Trauma Transfer Guideline

Indiana Trauma Transfer Guideline Document

ACS Verification Process

Hospitals in Indiana that are working on becoming a verified trauma center can apply (under Destination Guide) to become "In the Process of ACS Verification" trauma center status for purposes of the Triage and Transport Rule.

Please note: To be considered for "in the process of ACS verification", please submit your application to IDHS 30 days prior to the next Indiana State Trauma Care Commission (ISTCC) meeting.

"In The Process"

The EMS Commission’s Triage and Transport Rule requires the most severely injured patients to be taken to a trauma center.  For the purposes of the rule, a trauma center is defined as a hospital that is verified by the American College of Surgeons (ACS), a hospital that is state designated as a trauma center – such as in Illinois who doesn’t use the ACS to verify trauma centers, or a hospital that is “in the process” of becoming a trauma center.  This last phrase was added to allow hospitals that want to become trauma centers the opportunity to receive the patients necessary to show a track record of excellent trauma care required for the ACS verification process.

The EMS Commission has posted the forms necessary to apply to become an “in the process” hospital.  By filling out these forms and submitting them to the EMS Commission, members of the Indiana State Trauma Care Commission will review these documents and make a recommendation to the State Health Commissioner who will make the final recommendation to the EMS Commission who will then respond to the applicant regarding their “in the process” designation.  Approval by the EMS Commission will define a hospital as a Trauma Center for purposes of the Triage and Transport Rule allowing any EMS Provider to take trauma patients to your facility.

The form can be found on their web site, located here.

Please mail complete packet to:

EMS Certifications
Indiana Department of Homeland Security
302 West Washington Street, Room W246
Indianapolis, IN 46204

Rural Trauma Team Development Course Information

The Rural Trauma Team Development Course (RTTDC) emphasizes the important role of smaller, often rural, non-trauma hospitals in the overall state trauma system.  The RTTDC program covers key concepts in the triage of trauma patients, including the decision whether the hospital can meet the patient’s needs or needs to transfer the patient to a trauma center.  Understanding everyone’s role in a statewide trauma system is crucial in providing good care to trauma patients, especially in light of the fact that at least 60% of all trauma deaths occur in areas where only 25% of the population lives.

If your facility is interested in participating in the RTTDC program with a nearby trauma center, please contact the IDOH (indianatrauma@isdh.in.gov) or your nearest trauma center:

Deaconess Hospital

Dara Dilger, MSN, RN, NE-BC, TCRN
Trauma Program Manager
dara.dilger@deaconess.com
812-450-3044

Eskenazi Health

Matthew Ramseyer
Trauma Educator /  EMS Outreach
Trauma@EskenaziHealth.edu
317-607-9423

IU Health – Methodist Hospital

Scott Isenberg
Trauma Program Manager (Interim)
sisenbe1@iuhealth.org

Lutheran Hospital

Andrew Stimpson
Injury Prevention Coordinator
Astimpson@lutheran-hosp.com
260-435-2629

Memorial Hospital South Bend

Sarah Fox, MSHM, BSN, RN
Trauma Program Manager
ssfox@beaconhealthsystem.org
574-647-3513

Parkview Regional Medical Center

Lisa Hollister, DNP, MSN, RN, LSSBB
Admin. Director, Trauma
Lisa.Hollister@parkview.com
260-266-1275

Ascension St. Vincent Evansville

Marie Stewart, BSN, RN
Injury Prevention/Trauma Education/Outreach Coordinator - Trauma Services
marie.stewart@ascension.org
812-485-7836

Ascension St. Vincent Hospital

Kristin Wagner, BSN, RN, TCRN or Colleen Groves, BSN, RN, TCRN
Trauma Injury Prevention, Education & Outreach Coordinators
indytrauma@ascension.org
317-338-3334

Contact Information

Brain Busching, Director
Trauma and Injury Prevention
317-234-2865 
BBusching@health.in.gov