Trauma Centers in New York State

I can't say about New York, and don't know if this will help any, but here in the midwest the difference between the levels had more to do with personell in house vs so many miles/minutes away. The available equipment at a Level 1 will likely be the same as a 2 or 3, however, whether the tech to run the machine, or if there's more than one machine, or if a given Dr specialist is required to be there 24hrs a day is the difference. I've worked at major centers that had 4 CT scanners, and at rural hospitals that had one, with only 1 scheduled shift for a tech. Our hospital here wanted to go to a Level 1 because they can charge more if they did. However, we don't have the manpower to keep people in the hospital 24 hrs a day. If there's only a couple of people in a given field, it just isn't feasible.

My point is that your patient could get the same quality of care at a 2 or 3 (assuming Dr X is there, the CT scanner isn't down, the operating room isn't already occupied etc.) The main difference between the levels is the chance of near immediate treatment vs tucking them in for the night and having to wait until the Orthopedist or the Whomever makes it in the next morning. Availability is the biggest question for higher centers, not ability (again, don't know if that helps you)