Pediatric Trauma Care
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Level I trauma center
UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland is home to a Level I pediatric trauma center, as verified by the American College of Surgeons. This means we provide the highest level of care to children with traumatic injuries. We are one of the few Level I pediatric trauma centers in California.
For children with serious injuries, research shows that receiving pediatric trauma care in a children's hospital leads to better survival rates and outcomes.
We exclusively care for children with traumatic injuries, serving 8,000 kids each year from throughout Northern California and as far away as Nevada.
Pediatric trauma care services
At UCSF Benioff Oakland, your child receives outstanding trauma care from admission through inpatient care and follow-up.
Features of our care include:
24/7 services. We are available around the clock to provide immediate, highly specialized pediatric trauma care.
Expert team. Our center is staffed by board-certified pediatric emergency medicine specialists. The high number of trauma cases we see yearly makes our team one of the most experienced in the Bay Area.
Leading-edge facilities. These include a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), highly advanced operating rooms, a blood bank, the latest imaging technologies and rehabilitation services. Because we focus solely on kids, all our facilities and equipment are designed for children.
Transport services
We can provide patient transport services by ambulance, airplane and helicopter. Our critical care transport team includes experts from many pediatric specialties, and we're equipped to handle complex transfers for infants and children with all types of traumatic injuries. Learn more about patient transfer and transport.
Support services
Your child has access to extensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services to help them regain strength, function and mobility after an injury.
We also operate a hospital-based youth violence intervention program for adolescents recovering from gunshot wounds, stab wounds or other forms of assault. The program helps children heal while developing skills that can free them from cycles of violence.
Injury prevention program
Our center supports a comprehensive injury prevention program, aimed at helping families avoid childhood injuries in the first place.
Level I trauma center
UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland is home to a Level I pediatric trauma center, as verified by the American College of Surgeons. This means we provide the highest level of care to children with traumatic injuries. We are one of the few Level I pediatric trauma centers in California.
For children with serious injuries, research shows that receiving pediatric trauma care in a children's hospital leads to better survival rates and outcomes.
We exclusively care for children with traumatic injuries, serving 8,000 kids each year from throughout Northern California and as far away as Nevada.
Pediatric trauma care services
At UCSF Benioff Oakland, your child receives outstanding trauma care from admission through inpatient care and follow-up.
Features of our care include:
24/7 services. We are available around the clock to provide immediate, highly specialized pediatric trauma care.
Expert team. Our center is staffed by board-certified pediatric emergency medicine specialists. The high number of trauma cases we see yearly makes our team one of the most experienced in the Bay Area.
Leading-edge facilities. These include a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), highly advanced operating rooms, a blood bank, the latest imaging technologies and rehabilitation services. Because we focus solely on kids, all our facilities and equipment are designed for children.
Transport services
We can provide patient transport services by ambulance, airplane and helicopter. Our critical care transport team includes experts from many pediatric specialties, and we're equipped to handle complex transfers for infants and children with all types of traumatic injuries. Learn more about patient transfer and transport.
Support services
Your child has access to extensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services to help them regain strength, function and mobility after an injury.
We also operate a hospital-based youth violence intervention program for adolescents recovering from gunshot wounds, stab wounds or other forms of assault. The program helps children heal while developing skills that can free them from cycles of violence.
Injury prevention program
Our center supports a comprehensive injury prevention program, aimed at helping families avoid childhood injuries in the first place.
Locations (dynamic)
Providers
James M. Betts, MD
Pediatric Surgery
James E. Crawford-Jakubiak, MD
Pediatrics (Child Protection)
Olajire Idowu, MD
Pediatric Surgery
Aaron Jensen, MD, M ED
Pediatric Surgery
Awards & achievements
8,000
children treated per year with trauma-related injuries
Related conditions & treatments
Conditions
- Abdominal Trauma
- Burns
- Concussion
- Fracture
- Hemothorax
- Laceration
- Pelvic Fracture
- Pneumothorax
- Spinal Cord Injury
Navigating pediatric medical trauma
1 of 3
Accreditations & memberships
Level I Pediatric Trauma Center
Verified by the American College of Surgeons, our center offers the highest level of pediatric trauma care services, delivered by specialists.
Recommended reading
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Our trauma team provided prompt emergency medicine, helping Marcos regain mobility after a surfing accident.
Injury-prevention program
Get expert-backed tips, guides and checklists to help your children stay safe.
Support services
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
School Program
Our schoolroom services and individual learning programs help children hospitalized at UCSF continue their education and get ready to return to school.
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.
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.
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.
Parent Support Program
Weekly activities, including knitting, scrapbooking, chair massage and more, help family caregivers get a much-needed break. Find out more.
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.
Spiritual Care
Chaplains help UCSF patients, families and staff cope with the spiritual and emotional challenges of childhood illness. Learn more.
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.