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Trauma Care Center

Research shows that when children suffer a traumatic injury, more survive and have better outcomes when given pediatric trauma care at a pediatric hospital. The Pediatric Trauma Care Center at our Oakland campus is dedicated exclusively to caring for children and is an American College of Surgeons verified Level I Pediatric Trauma Center. The center is one of only six in California offering the level of comprehensive care that merits that designation from the ACS.

With a staff of board-certified pediatric emergency medicine specialists, we provide immediate, highly specialized pediatric emergency services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The high volume of trauma cases we see every year makes the team at the Trauma Care Center one of the most experienced in the Bay Area.

Why Families Choose Us

Northern California's Leading Pediatric Trauma and Emergency Services

  • As one of only six ACS Level I pediatric trauma centers in California, Children's Hospital Oakland provides immediate, highly specialized pediatric emergency services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Services Provided by a Level I Trauma Center

  • Outstanding trauma patient care from admission through all phases of care and follow-up.
  • A multidisciplinary trauma quality improvement system.
  • 24-hour call-panels of board-certified physicians.
  • An approved intensive care unit.
  • Available operating rooms, blood bank, radiology, and rehabilitation.
  • Trauma research and injury prevention activities.

Experience and Pediatric Trauma Expertise

  • Children's Hospital Oakland holds an Emergency Medicine Services for Children (EMS-C) designation and approval within California to function as a Pediatric Critical Care Center (PCCC).
  • Our facilities are staffed with board-certified pediatric emergency medicine specialists who see an average of 8,000 patients with trauma-related injuries a year.
  • Most major trauma victims in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties under age 14 will be brought to the Emergency Department at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland.
  • Critically injured children across Northern California and from as far away as Nevada are transferred and transported to UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland.

Ancillary Support Services for All of Northern California

  • We're committed to your child's recovery from start to finish. Children's Hospital Oakland maintains an extensive in-house and outpatient rehabilitation department for the pediatric trauma patients we serve.
  • The Trauma Center supports a comprehensive injury-prevention program. Through these safety and child health advocacy efforts, we hope to eliminate unintentional childhood injuries and keep kids safe and healthy.

Transport and Transfer Services

  • When a child is critically ill or injured, expert transportation can mean the difference between life and death. The region's most critically children and infants are transported to Children's Hospital Oakland each day. Children's provides expert, round-the-clock local, regional, and national patient transfer and critical emergency transportation by ambulance, fixed wing aircraft, and helicopter. Children's Critical Care Transport Team includes multiple medical specialties. We manage complex transports for children and infants with a wide variety of medical, cardiac, neonatal, surgical, and traumatic conditions.

Our locations (1)

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    Awards & recognition

    • Ranked among the nation's best in 11 specialties

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    Support services

    Child Life Services

    Activity rooms, pet therapy and more to help kids feel at home.

    Child Life

    Certified child life specialists ease the stress and anxiety of childhood illness through therapeutic play, schooling and family-focused support.

    Family Amenities

    Family-friendly amenities help you relax and take care of yourself while staying close to your child. We offer lounges, kitchens, showers, breastfeeding rooms and more.

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    Social Services

    Social workers ease the effect of illness, injury and hospitalization on your family with counseling and assistance to help you navigate the challenges.

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    Activity Rooms

    Activity rooms offer a relaxed environment for children of all ages. Features include a playroom, digital arts studio and teen lounge. Find out more.

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    Art Therapy

    Art therapy helps kids and families express themselves, making it easier to cope with pediatric health issues. Group and bedside services are available.

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    Music Therapy Program

    Board-certified music therapists help kids cope with illness and the feelings that come with it. Find out about group activities and bedside therapy.

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    School Program

    Our schoolroom services and individual learning programs help children hospitalized at UCSF continue their education and get ready to return to school.

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    School Re-Entry Program

    We help kids return to school after hospitalization by educating staff and students about their needs and recommending needed accommodations. Read more.

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    Individual Playtime & Instruction

    If your child can't be around other kids for medical reasons, you can sign up for private sessions in our activity and school rooms. Find out how.

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    Interpreter Services & Communication Assistance

    Interpreter services in many languages and TDDs are available for families that need help communicating with care teams. Here's how to access them.

    Family Resource Center

    We help families cope with the challenges of childhood illness and hospitalization in a relaxing environment where parents can get a much-needed break.

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    Parent Support Program

    Weekly activities, including knitting, scrapbooking, chair massage and more, help family caregivers get a much-needed break. Find out more.

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    Patient Relations

    Patient relations reps and nursing supervisors are here to answer questions and address concerns. Learn about your rights, how to reach us and more.

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    Spiritual Care

    Chaplains help UCSF patients, families and staff cope with the spiritual and emotional challenges of childhood illness. Learn more.

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    International Services

    If you're coming to UCSF from outside the U.S., we coordinate your child's appointments and provide other helpful services. Here's how to get started.

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    It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s a window washer! Dressed as a superhero to clean and brighten your day.

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