General: A Level III Trauma Center is an acute care facility with the

General: A Level III Trauma Center is an acute care facility with the commitment, medical staff, personnel and specialty training necessary to provide initial resuscitation of the trauma patient. Generally, a Level III Trauma Center is expected to provide initial resuscitation of the trauma patient and immediate operative intervention to control hemorrhage and to assure maximal stabilization prior to referral to a higher level of care. In many instances, patients will remain in the Level III Trauma Center unless the medical needs of the patient require secondary transfer. The decision to transfer a patient is the responsibility of the physician attending the trauma patient. All Level III Trauma Centers will work collaboratively with other trauma facilities to develop transfer protocols and a well-defined transfer sequence. The trauma center shall participate in hospital and statewide performance improvement activities.