UT Medical Center’s Trauma Center is a Level I Trauma Center—the highest designation available. This means that from admission to discharge, you will be cared for by a team of specially trained personnel to meet your on-going and changing needs. The head of this team is the trauma surgeon who supervises and coordinates your care. He may consult specialty physicians such as a neurosurgeon, an orthopedic surgeon or a maxillofacial or plastic surgeon.

After evaluation in the Emergency Department, critical trauma patients then are transported to the 16-bed Trauma Center on the second floor. In the Trauma Center, the patient is further evaluated and additional procedures are completed such as follow up X-rays, suturing, splinting and observation. Critically injured patients are complex and challenging. They often require massive fluid and blood resuscitation, ventilation, dialysis, early nutrition and multiple procedures. The Trauma ICU is staffed with experienced critical care nurses, respiratory therapists, nursing technicians and secretaries.

UT Medical Center is a teaching hospital and uses a team approach to trauma care. Daily rounds made by a team of resident physicians, students and nurses are led by attending physicians who discuss the care and progress of trauma patients and ensure the most comprehensive care. The staff of the Trauma Center will work with the patients and family to provide individualized care and meet individual needs in any way possible. Provisions will be made for family comfort as well as environmental, social and spiritual needs.

Trauma Stepdown is referred to as 10 East. This is a 30-bed telemetry and ventilator unit located on 10 East that provides the high level care required by the complex trauma patient and their family. The staff consists of trauma trained professional nurses, certified nursing assistants, and unit secretaries. They are part of the multidisciplinary team consisting of dieticians, physical therapists, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, trauma nurse specialists, case managers and pastoral care, who specialize not only in the care of the trauma patient but also their rehabilitation.

The Orthopedic Trauma unit is referred to as 5 East because it is located on 5 East. It is a 30-bed unit that uses a multidisciplinary approach in the care of trauma patients with orthopedic injuries. The nursing staff works closely with the orthopedic surgeons of Orthopedic Associates of Knoxville as well as physical therapy, occupational therapy, nutritional support and other services to provide the best possible care to these patients.

Rehabilitation for the trauma patient begins shortly after admission. The patient is evaluated by a rehabilitation team consisting of a nurse, physical medicine and rehabilitation physician and representatives from physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, audiology and dietary services. Individualized treatment plans are developed and initiated as soon as medically appropriate.

Referral to local inpatient rehabilitation facilities such as the Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center is arranged as soon as appropriate. Outpatient rehabilitation is available at UT Medical Center.