Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital Is Now a Level II Pediatric Trauma Center … So, What Does That Mean?

In November 2022, Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital’s Trauma Center was upgraded to a Level II pediatric trauma center by the American College of Surgeons, making it the first and only pediatric trauma center in the Capital Region to receive this prestigious distinction.

The recognition from the ACS highlights the robust, multi-disciplinary care model Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital provides for children throughout Louisiana and the Gulf South.

We hope your family never needs emergency care, but it’s good to know what’s available—just in case. Our children’s hospital provides the highest level of pediatric trauma care available in our region.

What Is a Level II Pediatric Trauma Center?

But what does a Level II distinction really mean? And how is it different from other levels?

In simplest terms, a Level II pediatric trauma center can initiate definitive care for all injured pediatric patients. 

A Level II pediatric trauma center includes:

• Immediate 24-hour coverage by general surgeons, as well as coverage by the specialties of orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, radiology and critical care. 
• Provides trauma prevention and continuing education programs for team members. 
• Incorporates a comprehensive quality assessment program.

Trauma Treatment

The most common pediatric trauma cases treated include:

• Falls, such as on the playground, from a stroller or crib, etc.
• Motor vehicle accidents
• ATV accidents

Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health trauma team serves patients from across our region and neighboring states. Our team includes physicians, advanced practice providers, a program manager, nurses, registrars, technicians, an injury prevention coordinator, and pediatric trauma services. These exceptional caregivers are on-site 24/7 and are committed to caring for the community during a crisis as well as offering prevention and education programs. Our trauma team provides extensive community outreach, teaching people how to prevent injuries and develop better safety practices.

When you need care, it can sometimes be tricky determining if you need to visit your child’s primary care provider, local urgent care or even the emergency room. Check out our guide to help you get the care you need quicker.