No One Knows Trauma Centers Better

When a trauma center has determined that it is feasible to build a new trauma center, B+A is equipped to facilitate the development process. We have worked with hospitals of all levels, ranging from ACS-verified Level I trauma centers to state-verified Level IV trauma centers. Our comprehensive, hands-on process can help hospitals plan for, develop, and open a new trauma center or increase its trauma center level. (See Trauma Center Upgrade)

Establishing a new trauma center is a huge endeavor. By its very nature, trauma care is multidisciplinary and involves nearly every department of the hospital. In addition, trauma centers are expensive to operate, and each trauma center presents unique administrative, financial, and staffing challenges.

Our Process Is Collaborative and Exhaustive

As consultants, we recognize that our involvement in your hospital is temporary. As such, our approach works directly with hospital staff to help you build your trauma program. This is critical for many reasons. First, the trauma program must reflect and work within your unique hospital culture, regional trauma environment, and state regulations. Second, a trauma center must be built organically so hospital staff feel invested in the process. Third, a trauma center is sustainable only when physicians and staff take ownership of the program as “their” trauma program.

B+A can provide the structure, organization, and steady presence to start the process, but from the beginning we will work with hospital administration and staff to execute a collaborative, team-building approach. This is of particular importance with the medical staff, as they have strong feelings and often misconceptions about the impact of trauma patients on their workload and call schedule.

We keep “hearts and minds” at the center of the process and empower your administrative and clinical staff to be the visible leaders of the process. We are committed to help your people build and sustain the best possible trauma center.

Components of the Project

The components of a typical trauma center development project may include the following:

• Organization of a trauma center steering committee to lead the process and ensure hospital administrators are informed at each step of the process.

• Identification of key stakeholders to serve on development committees, particularly in the areas of medical staff development and trauma center operations.

• Execution of a sequential and orderly process for ensuring all departments participate and have a role in building trauma center protocols and practices.

• Facilitation of stakeholder meetings to ensure that hospital and medical staff receive regular updates on trauma center development and have opportunities to ask questions and provide feedback throughout the process.

• Assistance with attracting, identifying, vetting, and recruiting trauma program leadership, including the Trauma Medical Director and Trauma Program Manager.

• Collaboration with the trauma system or regional governing body to ensure the hospital meets appropriate standards and timelines for designation.

• Creation of a marketing and communication strategy to ensure internal and external audiences (including EMS and referral facilities) are informed about the new trauma center.

• Development of an injury prevention initiative to address common trauma mechanisms in the region.

• Establishing an educational plan that ensures all physicians, nurses, and ancillary staff receive appropriate trauma education and orientation.

• Preparation of a budget to track and optimize trauma center development costs.

• Collaboration with the hospital financial and revenue cycle departments to develop a system for applying trauma charges and optimizing managed care carve-outs and trauma center revenue. (See Trauma Charge Assessment)

• Assistance with development of a trauma registry that complies with the National Trauma Data Standard and county/state data requirements.

• Identification of strategies for maximizing the “halo effect,” including the development of a Trauma and Acute Care Surgery service or Surgical Center of Excellence.

• Support for the ongoing trauma center development process.

We’ve Got Your Back For The Long Term

New issues are bound to arise as a trauma center begins operation. B+A traditionally provides strong support to former clients. Our clients will tell you they feel supported by us as long as needed, rarely at an added cost.

We regularly provide ongoing advice on medical staff arrangements by specialty, recruitment of trauma surgeons, and strategies for working with the state or regional agency governing trauma, as well as other issues that arise as you open your trauma center. We stand by our work.