Trauma CENTER Bypass/Diversion Protocol

As the University of Kentucky Healthcare provides the only regional Level 1 Adult and Pediatric Trauma Center, we accept for evaluation trauma patients from the scene as well as transfers from other hospitals needing a higher level of care.   Our trauma center does not provide limits on the inpatient trauma census thereby making any diversion for high volume unnecessary.   Possible reasons for bypass:

• ·       Destruction of the physical hospital plant including the emergency department and operating room rendering it inoperable
• ·       Barrier to the physical hospital plant due to external weather damage, law enforcement activities, or other.
• ·       Internal disaster.

Hospital administration together with the Emergency Department and/or Trauma Surgery teams will recognize any need for diversion and institute the protocol.  

·       Surrounding EMS and dispatch companies will be notified of bypass conditions. 

·       Surrounding local hospitals with Memorandum of Understanding on record will be notified of bypass conditions and discern ability to accept diverted patients.

·       Regional Level 1 Trauma Centers such as University of Louisville and University of Cincinnati will be notified of bypass conditions and evaluate for secondary distribution if needed. 

When bypass conditions resolve as determined by the Hospital administration together with the Emergency Department director and/or Trauma Surgeon, we will notify all the above entities and direct secondary distribution back to our facility if needed. 

An After Action Report will be completed and evaluated by the Emergency Preparedness Team and Hospital Administration for any improvement in process for future events. 

Draft 8/17/17, ct

Edited 8/29/17, emergency preparedness team; Reviewed A Bernard/C Reynolds Sept 25, 2024