Trauma Center vs. Emergency Department

There is a difference!

Beneficiary Information

What is Trauma Care?

Traumatic injury is the leading cause of death for people between the ages of 1 and 44. It can happen to anyone at any time – at work, at play, or anywhere in between. Car crashes and falls cause the majority of traumas in Central Florida.

When a traumatic injury happens, seconds can mean the difference between life and death. Surgical intervention within the "golden hour" – the first hour after a traumatic injury occurs – significantly improves chances of survival by 15-30% and can improve quality of life by as much as 85%.

Trauma centers offer a level of expertise and care beyond that of a typical emergency department. When traumatic injuries occur, Central Florida’s only Level One Trauma Center is always ready and waiting. As one of only seven Level One Trauma Centers in the state, ORMC receives the most critically injured patients from around the region.

Due to the intense nature and unpredictable demands of trauma care, every need must be anticipated every second of every day. Extensive resources and highly specialized healthcare providers must be available at all times. To provide this life-saving care, a trauma center is required to have emergency medicine physicians, trauma surgeons, nurses, and other medical professionals in house 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Teams of 15 to 20 medical professionals stand ready and waiting to begin immediate lifesaving care the moment a trauma patient arrives. In addition, an operating room is always ready and a host of sub-specialists are immediately available. This level of "readiness" defines trauma care – and often makes the difference between life and death.

As the only Level One Trauma Center in Central Florida, Orlando Health treats the most critically injured patients from 20 counties. In 2008, the trauma center cared for more than 4,400 patients.

Need for Funding

Trauma care is costly for any hospital. It is also an optional service that Orlando Health – as a mission-driven, not-for-profit healthcare organization – has chosen to provide because of its commitment to the community and the critical need for trauma care.

Patient revenues do not cover the costs of maintaining the extensive team of medical professionals either on call or in house 24 hours a day, seven days a week, as well as the other resources required to make life-saving care possible for trauma patients.  Orlando Health estimates these trauma readiness costs to be more than $13 million annually. This does not include capital expenses needed to buy updated technology or the actual cost of treating trauma patients.

Treatment also requires significant space dedicated to caring for severely injured trauma victims. Our current trauma bay includes six beds and is temperature controlled at 82 degrees to help prevent shock. Resources such as portable X-ray machines and ultrasound equipment, a blood bank with universal-type blood, as well as two CT scanners nearby all ensure the trauma bay is ready for the region’s most critically injured patients. For those who require immediate surgical intervention, an operating room is always available as well as dedicated Trauma ICU and Trauma Step-Down Units that provide specialized care for trauma patients.

Over the past decade, the number of Trauma Center patients in Central Florida has tripled.  As our community has grown, so has the need for trauma care.

Orlando Health is the only healthcare organization in Florida operating a Level One Trauma Center that does not receive substantial local public funding.

We are depending on caring people and organizations to help the Trauma Center keep pace with the growing needs of the community. The need for philanthropic support of the region’s only Level One Trauma Center has never been more urgent or necessary.

Celebrating Excellence in Trauma Care

In 2006, former Trauma Center patient Amanda Cole promised guests in an emotional moment that she would "dance again." Amanda's promise was an inspiration to the entire room, bringing the crowd of 600 to their feet.

Everyday Heroes

In 2007, a children's choir serenaded the audience by candlelight, in honor of Trauma Center heroes as the trauma team members and their families took the stage. Former patient, James Traweek, was reunited with many of the individuals who were part of his care.

What If?

In 2008, firefighter John Rogers and his family stood strong after facing their "What if..." At the conclusion of the program, the family raised their hands together as the room erupted with applause and celebration.

All for one Moment

In 2009, we shared the inspirational story of Nate Winters, a young man whose bravery and will to survive were simply remarkable. Nate's teammates–both trauma team members and baseball buddies–and his parents joined him on stage in the celebration of his tremendous recovery.