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
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. Currently, there is one "In the Process" trauma centers in Indiana:
| Trauma Center Name | Location | Adult Designation | Pediatric Designation |
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 Committee (ISTCC) meeting. Click here to see the dates of ISTCC meetings for 2023.
"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 Committee 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
Contact Information
Brain Busching, Director
Trauma and Injury Prevention
317-234-2865
BBusching@health.in.gov