The Southwest Virginia EMS Council has been made aware of upcoming changes to Trauma activation criteria that will likely impact our region's EMS agencies.  As such, we want to ensure that EMS agencies and providers are aware of these changes.

Effective August 1st, Ballad Health will implement a standardized set of trauma activation criteria for the three Ballad Health trauma centers (Johnson City Medical Center, Holston Valley Medical Center and Bristol Regional Medical Center). One set of standardized activation criteria will allow trauma centers and EMS partners to have common terminology and activation standards, for both the adult and pediatric patient population.

These standards were adapted from the American College of Surgeons, Committee on Trauma, Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient trauma activation criteria document. In addition, these standards were approved by the Ballad Health Trauma Medical Directors, and further vetted through a pilot group of regional EMS Directors.

Please find attached the document containing our standardized activation criteria. As you review these criteria please note:

· We are providing these for your knowledge of our internal terminology, and standardization, for trauma activations, not for additional decision making by our pre-hospital partners, as your processes will not change.
· When our EMS partners radio report on their trauma patients they can request a “trauma alert” and our Communications Center will activate the appropriate internal activation.

Contact Anita Perry, Corporate Director of Trauma Services and EMS Liaison, by phone or email to schedule any needed training sessions with your agencies or for any questions you have concerning these criteria.