VRC Program Q&As

The ACS Verification, Review, and Consultation Program (VRC) helps hospitals to evaluate and improve trauma care. It provides an objective, external review of a trauma center’s resources and performance. A team of trauma experts completes an on-site or virtual review of the hospital. The team assesses relevant features of the program. These include commitment, readiness, resources, policies, patient care, and performance improvement.

This book outlines the resources needed for optimal trauma care. Experts use it as a guide to develop trauma centers in the United States. ACS site surveyors use this book to review trauma centers. See the most recent edition of the Resources for the Optimal Care of the Injured Patient.

A facility earns the title of “designated trauma center” when it meets the requirements of government or other authorized entities. The ACS does not designate trauma centers. Instead, it verifies the presence of the resources listed in the book, Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient.

There are three levels of ACS trauma center verification, each defined by specific standards. These standards denote the spectrum of care that must be available to the injured patient at the facility, along with other expectations related to research and educational contributions to advance the field and increase capacity. See how levels are defined.

View list of ACS verified centers. The ACS lists only those centers that have successfully completed the ACS verification process. 

Some states do not use ACS verification as part of their trauma center designation process.

The American Trauma Society (ATS) keeps track of all US trauma centers. You can find a trauma center near you at the ATS website. The ATS is dedicated to improving trauma care and preventing trauma.

Other entities besides ACS also assess trauma centers. These include state governments, local emergency medical services (EMS), which are first responders to an injury, and various foundations.

The Verification, Review, and Consultation Process consists of submission of a site visit application, completion of a pre-review questionnaire (PRQ), site visit preparation, a site visit, and post site visit processes.  For more details, please visit the Verification Process page.

A consultation visit is optional but highly recommended for a trauma center’s initial visit. This review is most beneficial to centers preparing to undergo their first verification review, as it will provide recommendations to educate and aid the trauma center in preparing for and attaining verification. Learn more about the consultation and other types of visits.