Organization of French level 1 adult trauma centers: A national survey

The specialized care of acute trauma patients is increasingly organized within networks, with the most critical patients referred to level 1 trauma centers (TC1). This French national survey aimed to evaluate the organizational and structural characteristics of these centers.

A 195-item survey was conducted across 40 centers classified as TC1 according to consensual criteria. It included a general analysis of the hospital, followed by an internal analysis of each department, specifically admitting severe acute trauma patients. The survey collected data on the architectural, human, and functional organization, activity, and general satisfaction regarding each department.

All surveyed centers responded, 65% (26/40) of them were integrated into a trauma network. These TC1 admitted 409 (±332) severe trauma patients/year, including 90 (±75) grade A/very severe and 138 (±120) grade B/severe. Across the 40 TC1, a total of 46 reception areas were identified with a mean of 2.9 (±1.7) beds/area, and a surface of 20.4 (±8.9) m²/area. Their distances from the CT-scanner and operating room were 81 (±90) and 82 (±76) m, respectively. For grade A (unstable despite prehospital medical care) and B (stabilized after prehospital medical care and/or specific anatomic lesion) patients, the trauma team leader was an anesthesiologist-intensivist in 97.5% and 90.5% of admissions, respectively. Eleven (23.9%) reception areas reported multiple medical specialties involved in the admission of severe trauma patients, and 19 (41.3%) reported having dedicated nurses.

This survey highlights the variability of the functional, architectural, and human resource organization of French TC1.