Hospitals are a vital component of any Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system. While most people think that EMS stops at the hospital’s emergency department, the reality is that EMS is fully integrated into the hospital system, as well as the entire health care system. Procedures performed by EMS providers in the field can have a huge impact on the patient’s long term outcome. As a result hospitals are very much interested and supportive of EMS. One area that is vital to improving patient outcomes is in the field of trauma, and the District Trauma System.

Trauma Centers

The EMS Act of 2008 became effective March 25, 2009 as DC Law 17-357, DC Official Code §§ 7-2341.01 et seq.

The Department of Health utilizes the recommendations of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Committee on Trauma to develop the requirements for trauma centers in the District of Columbia. We also recognize those hospitals who have received certification by the ACS as a trauma center.