Riley Children’s Health verified as a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center

The Committee on Trauma of the American College of Surgeons verifies Riley Children’s as Level I Pediatric Trauma Center, entering its 30th year of certification.

Indianapolis, IN – Riley Children’s Health is once again verified as the only Level I Pediatric Trauma Center in Indiana by the Verification Review Committee (VCR), an ad hoc committee of the Committee on Trauma (COT) of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). This achievement recognizes the expertise Riley Children’s has in providing the highest level of care for children with traumatic injuries.

Riley has been verified since 1993 and will mark 30 years of being Indiana’s longest serving and only Level I Pediatric Trauma Center in 2023.

“I am incredibly proud to work with a dedicated and skilled group of physicians, nurses, techs, alongside a host of support staff, to provide top level pediatric trauma care here in Indiana. Level 1 re-verification is a stamp of approval on the quality care provided here and evidence of a strong commitment by both Riley Children’s Health and its staff to trauma care,” said Trauma Medical Director Dr. Matthew Landman. “I am honored to be leading a program that has maintained continuous Level 1 verification for now 30 years and excited to see the many future successes of Riley Children’s and the Trauma Program as we work to improve the lives of pediatric trauma patients and their families here in Indiana.”

Riley has treated more than 1,600 injured children annually. Among the most common trauma injuries Riley treats are gunshot wounds and vehicle accidents. Other trauma includes loss of limbs, head injuries, pelvic fractures, dog bites, lawn mower injuries, button battery ingestions, trampoline accidents, and sports injuries among others.

“The team at the Riley Children’s Health Trauma Center have the expertise, compassion, and technology to treat patients at their most vulnerable moments. We are pleased to receive this trauma center reverification from the American College of Surgeons for 30 consecutive years. It validates that hospitals and EMS providers from around the state can rely on Riley Children’s to collaborate with them to care for the most severely injured kids,” said Gil Peri, President of Riley Children’s Health.

Riley Children’s Health Trauma Center Facts:

  • Team of pediatric general/trauma surgeons, anesthesiologists, radiologists, critical care physicians and emergency medicine physicians are pediatric fellowship trained and in house 24/7
  • Operating Room is always available within 15 minutes of trauma patient arriving with two OR teams available in house 24/7, with a third OR team on call
  • Four pediatric trauma bays equipped with technology and supplies for procedures, ultrasounds, intubation, and monitoring
  • Two of the four trauma bays have been modified for negative pressure isolation (instant heat capabilities to combat hypothermia, which is important for burn and trauma patients)
  • Capability to land two aircraft on main hospital roof and one on top of the Riley Outpatient Center. Elevators from main hospital helipad take patients directly into the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) or Emergency Department.

Established by the American College of Surgeons in 1987, the COT's Consultation/Verification Program for Hospitals promotes the development of trauma centers in which participants provide not only the hospital resources necessary for trauma care, but also the entire spectrum of care to address the needs of all injured patients. This spectrum encompasses the prehospital phase through the rehabilitation process.