Understanding Level IV Trauma Centers and Their Services

When it comes to emergency medical care, having access to the right resources and services can be life-saving. Understanding what type of trauma service center is available in your area is essential for ensuring that you receive the best care possible.

Trauma centers are categorized based on their ability to provide care for trauma patients. Level IV Trauma Service Centers are designed to provide advanced trauma life support prior to the patient's transfer to a higher level of care. These centers must have 24-hour emergency services, a full range of radiology services, and a wide variety of medical specialists available. An example of a Level IV Trauma Service Center is Permian Regional Medical Center in Andrews, Texas, which provides comprehensive emergency care, including trauma and burn care, critical care services, and a dedicated & fully staffed trauma program.

Read on to learn more about what a Level IV Trauma Service Center is, the benefits of having one in your region, what services are available, and more about what sets Permian Regional Medical Center apart.

What Is a Level IV Trauma Service Center?
When it comes to medical emergencies and traumatic injuries, having access to the appropriate level of care can mean the difference between life and death. This is where trauma centers, otherwise known as trauma service centers, come into play. Trauma centers are specialized facilities that provide multidisciplinary care for patients with severe and life-threatening injuries.

There are five levels of trauma centers, with Level I being the most comprehensive and Level V being the least. In the middle of the spectrum is Level IV, which provides advanced trauma life support and stabilization, initial evaluation, diagnostic services, and transfer to a higher level of care when necessary.

Level IV trauma centers are typically found in smaller communities and rural areas that do not have the resources or patient volume to support a higher-level trauma center. These facilities work in close collaboration with higher-level trauma centers to provide coordinated care for patients, such as how Permian Regional Medical Center actively participates in the Region J Advisory Council in cooperation with the Texas Department of Health.

The Benefits of Having a Level IV Trauma Center in Your Community
Level IV trauma centers offer many benefits to their communities. Here are some of them:

Faster Access to Medical Care: Time is crucial in trauma care. A Level IV trauma center has the necessary equipment and staff to respond to emergencies promptly. This means that patients can receive medical care sooner, which increases their chances of survival.

Improved Patient Outcomes: A Level IV trauma center is equipped to handle a range of injuries, including stabilization in complex trauma cases. This means that patients can receive specialized care that is tailored to their specific needs. With improved care, patients have better outcomes and can recover faster.

Reduced Transfer Times: When patients require more advanced care, they need to be transferred to a higher-level trauma center. However, if a Level IV trauma center can handle the patient's needs, transfer times can be reduced significantly. This means that patients can receive the care they need faster, which can lead to better outcomes.

Community Education: Level IV trauma centers often engage in community education programs to promote injury prevention and awareness. This can help reduce the number of trauma cases in the community and improve overall health and well-being.

Level IV trauma centers play a critical role in providing quality trauma care to communities. With faster access to medical care, improved patient outcomes, reduced transfer times, and community education, these centers offer significant benefits to patients and their families.

The Services Offered by a Level IV Trauma Center
While Level IV trauma centers may not have all the resources of higher-level centers, they still offer important services that can save lives. These centers typically have emergency medical staff available 24/7 and can stabilize patients before transferring them to higher-level centers, if needed.

Additionally, Level IV trauma centers often offer diagnostic imaging and laboratory services to help quickly assess a patient's condition. They may also provide basic surgical and critical care services to stabilize patients until they can be transferred.

One important aspect of Level IV trauma centers is their focus on community outreach and injury prevention. These centers work to educate the community on how to avoid injuries and accidents and can provide resources and support to those who have experienced trauma.

Why Permian Regional Medical Center Is the Right Choice for Your Needs
If you or a loved one experiences a traumatic injury, having access to high-quality medical care is critical. That's why Permian Regional Medical Center is the right choice for your trauma needs. As a Level IV Trauma Service Center, we have the expertise, resources, and equipment necessary to provide the best possible care to trauma patients.

At Permian Regional Medical Center, our trauma team consists of highly trained physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals who specialize in caring for patients with traumatic injuries. We are available 24/7 to provide prompt, efficient care to those in need.

Some of the services offered by Permian Regional Medical Center's trauma team include:

Rapid assessment and treatment of trauma patients
Advanced diagnostic and imaging capabilities
Emergency surgery for life-threatening injuries
Rehabilitation and physical therapy services

In addition to its trauma services, Permian Regional Medical Center also offers a wide range of other medical services, including stroke care, cardiac care, and more. We are dedicated to providing the highest level of care possible to every patient who comes through our doors.

Choosing Permian Regional Medical Center for your trauma needs means that you can feel confident in the quality of care you will receive. Our experienced and dedicated trauma team will work tirelessly to ensure that you receive the treatment you need to make a full recovery.


If you are in Texas and are in need of trauma services, head to Permian Regional Medical Center. Our experienced and compassionate team will make certain you get the care and attention you need to get better quickly. Contact us at 432-464-2200 today if you have any questions, or wish to know more about our other services.