Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center

Providing the highest level of emergency care to children suffering from traumatic injuries.

Connecticut Children’s is designated as a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center that evaluates and treats more than 56,000 children each year, with more than 15,000 children receiving care for injuries ranging from minor lacerations to life threatening multi-system injuries. Connecticut Children’s Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center is the busiest facility between Boston and New York.

It is one of only two free-standing children’s hospitals in New England—and the only free-standing children’s hospital in Connecticut—able to provide the highest level of emergency care to children suffering from traumatic injuries.

Collaborative Approach to Care

Connecticut Children’s Trauma Program embraces a multidisciplinary team approach for the complex emergency care of traumatically injured children. Continuous, 24/7 care from our in-house emergency medical physicians, physicians in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), and other sub-specialists allows Connecticut Children’s to admit critically ill or injured pediatric patients from other hospitals across the Northeast when more advanced care is needed.

Our team at Connecticut Children’s provides specialized knowledge in thermal injuries. We use the most up-to-date equipment and treatment therapies required for every unique patient encounter. For ultimate healing, pediatric burns require special attention from an advanced multi-disciplinary team to prepare child and family for long-term treatment and care. Treatment plans can vary depending on the child’s age, body surface involvement, and burn depth.

Appropriate and adequate pain relief plays a key role in a child’s total comprehensive care. Our skilled providers know the safest choice to offer for their initial pain management. At Connecticut Children’s, we understand the child can develop fear and anxiety when a dressing change becomes a traumatic and painful experience. Therefore, non-pharmacological therapies such as virtual reality and learning techniques are implemented to provide the child with utmost comfort and care.

As the only health system in Connecticut dedicated to children, we routinely care for pediatric patients with minor and severe burn injuries. These injuries can involve the face, hands, genitalia, and extremities. Our trauma team is always ready to assist when disasters and emergencies knock on one’s door.

In addition, the Child Protection Team from our Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect program is a 24/7 resource for our medical and support staff who suspect child abuse or neglect in pediatric patients receiving care. The Child Protection Team is a resource for Connecticut Children’s medical and support staff members who suspect abuse or neglect in pediatric patients receiving care.

With a helipad on its rooftop, Hartford Hospital’s 24/7 LIFE STAR helicopter transport service brings neonatal and pediatric patients to Connecticut Children’s for immediate access to comprehensive pediatric trauma services.

Our highly experienced multi-disciplinary trauma team offers hands-on training for care providers at all levels through collaboration with clinical team members from different areas. Our simulation program allows our faculty to teach in environments that feel as real as possible with the goal of improving patient care and the continuing development of high reliability teams. We give our participants the tools and experience to truly understand the many scenarios within pediatric trauma, our trauma systems, and critical care.

The Simulation Program, led by Medical Director Carla Pruden, MD, supports approximately 240 participants over the calendar year through our monthly multidisciplinary trauma simulation series. Overarching objectives for participants include the ability to:

  • Identify historical and physical indications for trauma activation.
  • Demonstrate adherence to Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) guidelines through a systematic evaluation that focuses on the early identification of life-threatening injuries.
  • Utilize the appropriate crisis resource management and communication techniques of high-performance teams.

Simulation participants commonly express their appreciation for opportunities where they can practice skills and critical decision-making before a true emergency occurs.