Regionalized trauma systems have been developed to ensure access to care for injured patients who require time-sensitive life-saving interventions and advanced critical care to support recovery. The current worldwide COVID-19 pandemic threatens to overwhelm the healthcare system and thus impact the ability to care for critically injured patients and other surgical emergencies. The intent of this document is to advise trauma medical directors and trauma program managers on factors to consider as the public health and health care sectors prepare for an anticipated surge of critically ill patients related to COVID-19 infection.

This document is not meant to be all inclusive for the planning and preparation required by hospitals and health care systems, but to raise awareness of the importance of preserving capacity to respond to traumatic injuries that routinely occur in our communities.

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