The trauma verification process

We recommend bookings for trauma verification are made as far in advance as possible to allow adequate preparation time for the hospital and selection of the best possible team of reviewers.

Each institution undergoing a Consultative or Formal Verification visit must first complete a pre-review questionnaire which evaluates every aspect of the trauma service. The pre-review questionnaire allows the site review team to focus on particular issues relevant to that service and highlight any critical deficiencies, weaknesses and strengths.

The questionnaire is sent to the hospital undergoing trauma verification on application, preferably at least six months before the site review.  It must be returned to the RACS Trauma Office no later than three weeks before the review date.

Developed by a team of trauma experts from Australia and New Zealand, the Model Resource Criteria (PDF 604.44KB) is used to review and benchmark the hospital's trauma services.

The resource criteria used during the review are deemed either essential or desirable for a major trauma service in Australasia and evidence supporting inclusion for the criteria is listed. However, many of the essential criteria for provision of major trauma care in the Australasian hospital environment remain a consensus statement rather than inclusion based on a high level of evidence drawn from randomised controlled clinical trials.

The Model Resource Criteria document contains descriptors of the levels of trauma services in Australasia.

A team of up to five reviewers conducts the site review for a Formal Trauma Verification visit and a smaller team is required for a Consultative visit. The team is multidisciplinary reflecting the broad range of clinical care required by the multiply injured patient.

The site team reviews the pre-review material provided by the hospital prior to the review and then again with the key trauma service personnel on site.  On site, the team tours the facility, tracing the path of the injured patient, engages key clinicians and hospital management in discussion and undertakes medical chart reviews to verify the quality of trauma care being provided.

At the completion of the site review the institution receives verbal feedback before the site review team leaves. Each institution undergoing either a Formal Trauma Verification visit or a Consultative visit receives a written report detailing strengths, weaknesses and recommendations for improvement.

The detailed report is prepared off-site by the site team and approved by the RACS Trauma Verification Subcommittee before being sent to the authorising body and the Trauma Director approximately 12 weeks after the review.

A Consultative Trauma Verification review should be carried out first, to identify strengths and areas where the trauma service can be improved.  Tailored recommendations are made to help the institution meet the standard set out in the Model Resource Criteria (PDF 604.44KB).

Upon completion of a Formal Trauma Verification review and where no critical deficiencies have been identified, the hospital receives a certificate which is valid for four years.  Please contact the Project Officer if there are significant changes in the trauma program in this time.  At the completion of the four year period, a return verification visit should be sought by the hospital.

Reverification is available to hospitals which have successfully completed a Formal Trauma Verification review.  If another review is scheduled within four years, it allows the hospital to maintain its verification status.

The structure of the Trauma Verification Program is currently under review.  Please contact the Trauma Verification Project Officer with any queries.