Trauma System Development

In 1989, House Bill 18 was passed during the 71st Legislature. The purpose of the bill was to develop an emergency medical services (EMS) and trauma care system. This allowed for the creation of trauma service areas (TSAs), formed regional advisory councils (RACs), and outlined the trauma facility designation process. The trauma designation rules went into effect on December 26, 2006. 

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has the authority to designate facilities. The Office of EMS/Trauma Systems Section of DSHS works with hospitals and Regional Advisory Councils (RACs) to:

• Develop facility designation protocols,
• Develop policies, and
• Designate facilities in the state.
  

*NEW* DSHS Designation Program: Facility Update Form

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Trauma System Development

Overview

• Trauma Systems Rules

Survey Organizations

• American College of Surgeons
• Texas EMS, Trauma & Acute Care Foundation (TETAF)
  

Related Programs 

• EMS & Trauma System Funding
• Texas EMS/Trauma Registry

Councils

• Governor's EMS & Trauma Advisory Council (GETAC)
• Regional Advisory Councils (RACs)

Trauma Facility Designation

Documents

• Applications and Forms
  

Fees

The non-refundable trauma application fees for a three-year designation period are as follows:

• Level I trauma facility application fee will be no more than $10 per licensed bed with an upper limit of $5,000.00 and a lower limit of $4,000.00.
• Level II trauma facility application fee will be no more than $10 per licensed bed with an upper limit of $5,000.00 and a lower limit of $4,000.00.
• Level III trauma facility application fee will be no more than $10 per licensed bed with an upper limit of $2,500.00 and a lower limit of $1,500.00.
• Level IV trauma facility application fee will be no more than $10 per licensed bed with an upper limit of $1,000.00 and a lower limit of $500.00.

Facilities

• List of Facilities by Designation Level
• Facilities "In Active Pursuit of Designation" (PDF)

Map

• EMS/Trauma Systems Interactive Map

Resources

• ACS TQIP Best Practices Guidelines
• DSHS Virtual Survey Guidelines
• Level IV Trauma Center TOPIC Workshop Documents
  • Trauma Center Performance Improvement Patient Safety (PIPS) Master Plan
  • Level I Trauma Center Monthly Dashboard
  • Trauma Outcomes & Performance Improvement Course- Levels of Harm

Get In Touch

By Email

DSHS.EMS-TRAUMA@dshs.texas.gov

By Mail

Send mail correspondence to:
Person's name 
Texas Department of State Health Services 
EMS/Trauma Systems 
Attn: Trauma Designation Program 
PO Box 149347 MC 1876
Austin, Texas 78714-9347

Staff Contacts

For  technical difficulties information, process or rule clarification: 
Designation Program Manager  
Elizabeth Stevenson, R.N. – (512) 834-6794
Elizabeth.Stevenson@dshs.texas.gov 

Designation Program Coordinator 
Audrey Green, R.N. – (512) 605-9108
Audrey.Green@dshs.texas.gov

For RAC and Funding questions, call or email:
Josh Finholt  – (512) ) 201-0698
Joshua.Finholt@dshs.texas.gov