Adult Level I Trauma Center in Your Community – A Vital Resource

In southeastern Wisconsin, we have many Level III and IV Trauma Centers, but we have only one adult Level I Trauma Center, and that's at Froedtert Hospital. 

Trauma centers are validated by the state of Wisconsin based on the amount of resources each has. And here in the state of Wisconsin, we recognize four levels of trauma centers. So, a Level IV center would have the least amount of resources, and a Level I center would have the most amount of resources. 

In 2024, we saw more than 4,500 injured patients at our center. Falls are the number one reason for injuries that we see at our center, followed by motor vehicle collisions. We also have high rates of penetrating trauma and even industrial injuries. 

We know that when a patient is severely injured, getting to a Level I Trauma Center within the first hour can mean the difference between life and death. Evidence supports that going to a Level I Trauma Center when you are severely injured can reduce your mortality by as much as 25%.

Research is vital for trauma care, not only to address survival rates, but to address other important outcomes for our patients. Research helps us really address what puts somebody at a greater risk for poor quality of life and what impacts their mental health after injury. The research can really shape changes to practice to address those needs for our patients. 

Not everybody recovers from injury in the same way. Everybody is unique in terms of what they bring to their experience, as well as how they experience health care themselves. With this knowledge, we've been able to use research and really consider ways we can improve and enhance care to be more patient-specific — identifying what that patient's specific needs are and then pulling in practices that might help them specifically recover from injury. And so in this way, we're really driving forward patient-centered care by tailoring care to individuals.