About Parkland Trauma

History

Parkland became the first certified Level I trauma center in Texas in 1983. Patients requiring trauma care of all types are referred to Parkland.

Parkland has maintained its Level I trauma center status by completing site surveys by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma. These surveys have continued to define a strong commitment to excellence in trauma care, education, research and injury prevention. The trauma center’s strengths continue to reflect strong and dedicated trauma surgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, trauma nursing, trauma registry data management and the trauma performance improvement process.

Verification status

Our status as a Level I trauma center is reviewed every three years by the American College of Surgeons. In addition, Parkland is required to meet all Texas Department of State Health Services criteria for trauma center designation.

The criteria for trauma center verification is outlined by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma and documented in  Optimal Resources for the Injured Patient.

Community we serve

The Trauma Center at Parkland Hospital is a Level I Trauma Center serving Trauma Service Area E (TSA-E), known as the North Central Texas Trauma Regional Advisory Council (NCTTRAC). This incorporates nineteen north central Texas rural, suburban and urban counties: Cooke, Fannin, Grayson, Wise, Denton, Palo Pinto, Parker, Ellis, Kaufman, Navarro, Collin, Hunt, Rockwall, Erath, Hood, Johnson, Somervell, Tarrant and Dallas counties.

The Texas Department of State Health Services estimates that 7.4 million people live within the 15,574.71 square miles of TSA-E, representing 27% of the entire population of the State of Texas.