Penn State Hershey Shock Trauma Center
Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
500 University Drive
P.O. Box 850
Hershey, PA 17033-2390

Phone:  (717) 531-6066
Fax:      (717) 531-0321
Email:   tsnavely1@psu.edu

Patients with surgical emergencies desiring state-of-the-art care should come - or request transport to - Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Emergency Department.

Patients who are scheduling an elective consultation should call their health insurance provider prior to making an appointment with a Penn State Mitlon S. Hershey Medical Center general surgeon in order to determine whether or not a formal referral from their primary-care physician is required. All medical records, test results and X-rays pertinent to the patient's condition should be forwarded prior to this first appointment. If appropriate, surgery will be scheduled following this consultation.

What does it take to be designated as a trauma center?

Full-time trauma surgeons, Emergency Department physicians, and hundreds of dedicated physicians, nurses, specialists, and technicians to cover 24 hours a day, seven days a week

Trauma Center designation also requires:

• Designated operating room(s)
• Designated trauma room(s)
• Trauma coordinator and registrar
• Trauma researchers
• Multiple medical and surgical specialists
• CT scan and invasive radiology
• Designated intensive care units (ICUs)
• Staff education
• Quality improvement programs
• Rehabilitation programs
• Community outreach, education, and prevention programs

Penn State Hershey Medical Center is designated a Level I Trauma Center.

What are the different trauma designations?

Level I - Provides definitive, 24-hour care for critically injured patients, conducts trauma-related research and is, therefore, usually university-based.

Level II - Provides definitive, 24-hour care for critically injured patients, has the option of pursuing research, and is usually awarded to full-service, community-based regional medical centers.

What is Trauma?

Trauma is defined as a bodily injury, wound or shock. Trauma affects more people than heart disease and cancer combined and is the leading cause of death among Americans under age 40. However, death does not have to be the end result of a major trauma injury. Since the development of dedicated Trauma Centers, the number of deaths and long term disabilities has significantly decreased.

What are the rates of trauma deaths in the country?

Trauma kills more people between the ages of 1 and 44 than any other disease or illness. Nearly 100,000 people of all ages in the United States die from trauma every year, roughly half of them from automobile accidents. Tragically, however, it is our children and young adults who feel the greatest impact of trauma. According to the national Center for Heath Statistics, trauma (unintentional injuries + homicides) causes: 43% of all deaths from age 1 to 4, 48% of all deaths in ages 5 to 14 , and 62% of all deaths in ages 15 to 24

Trauma can strike at any time of the day. Each year, eight to nine million individuals suffer disabling injuries in the United States, with more than 3000,000 of the suffering permanent disabilities.

What is the anticipated time of recovery?

With all injuries, especially ones suffered from a trauma related incident, recovery time will vary. It is our goal that all patients get well enough to no longer need hospital care. Some patients will be discharged home with instructions to return for follow-up care. This is where the health team makes sure injuries are healing properly, as well as checking that the patient is adapting to life after the injury. Your nurses and doctors will discuss in detail about the amount of time you might need for recovery and physical therapy.