Company Profile
Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation
Company Overview
PTSF Inspires Positive Change in the Health Care Systems for Pennsylvanians.
Our Mission - Optimal outcomes for every injured patient.
Our Vision - We are committed to Zero Preventable Deaths from injury in Pennsylvania.
Headquartered in Camp Hill, PA, PTSF is the accrediting body for trauma centers in Pennsylvania and supports hospitals in advancing trauma care to injured patients. From accreditation, to education, to trauma registry and PIPS operations, and research support, the PTSF team is dedicated to supporting hospitals that serve injured patients in their region.
Achievement of trauma center accreditation requires hospitals to undergo intensive program development. Hospitals must also and establish strict compliance with PTSF Standards of Accreditation. This process includes completion of an application for survey and a site survey visit, which validates standard compliance and evaluates administrative commitment, clinical care, and performance improvement.
The importance and value of the trauma registry cannot be over-emphasized its role in the overall objective of coordinated trauma care to reduce death/disability in Pennsylvania. The trauma registry serves several purposes. It provides:
A basis for the trauma center accreditation process.
A mechanism for the review of the quality of care provided by the state’s trauma system and trauma centers.
Uniform, consistent data for systems and clinical research.
From the time the Pennsylvania Trauma Outcome Study (PTOS) registry began operation on October 1, 1986, over 1 million trauma patients have been entered into the database. This data is being utilized by the PTSF for several purposes:
To identify cases for site surveys and peer review conferences.
For reevaluation of the Standards for Trauma Center Accreditation.
For defining the criteria for the Major Trauma patient and various other projects.
The completeness and accuracy for registry data is imperative when applied to such research projects. For example, completed information regarding the patient’s pre-existing conditions provides insight when examining the patient’s recovery and discharge disability.
Trauma performance improvement (PI) is a confidential, systematic review and discussion of trauma care with ongoing surveillance of processes, systems, and their impact on outcomes. PI is both time and data intensive and includes multiple processes. Performance improvement for the care of the injured patient remains the central core element of Pennsylvania’s trauma system. In fact, a performance improvement and patient safety (PIPS) program is required by the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation (PTSF) Standards of Accreditation to be accredited as a trauma center.
Historically, PI has been conducted at the local, trauma facility level. As a result of health facilities merging into larger systems, the PI process has grown into a more regional process. Pennsylvania’s statewide PIPS process continues to mature and evolve with the addition of quarterly benchmark reporting, a central PI outcomes repository of state deaths, PIPS and Outcomes committees and the newly formed Pennsylvania State TQIP Collaborative (PA-TQIP) initiative.
Company History
1984-1985 - The Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation (PTSF) is the accrediting body for trauma centers throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. PTSF was created by the combined efforts of the Pennsylvania Medical Society and The Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania along with the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association, the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council, and the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania first recognized PTSF in December 1984 when Act 209 was signed into law by Governor Thornburgh. Act 209 expired in June 1985 and a comprehensive Emergency Medical Service Act (Act 45) was signed into law in July 1985 again recognizing PTSF as the accrediting body for the trauma centers in Pennsylvania.
1986 - the first year PTSF accredited trauma centers. Twelve trauma centers were the first to receive this recognition including six Adult Level I centers, four Adult Level II centers, and two Pediatric Level I centers
1991 - the first Pediatric Level II center was accredited
2004 - Adult Level III Standards were created
2007 - the first Adult Level III center was accredited
2010 - Adult Level IV Standards were created
2013 - the first Adult Level IV center was accredited
2016 - the first Critical Access Hospital was accredited as a Level IV Trauma Center
2019 - Act 54 of 2019 was signed into law
2020 - Level I, II and III Trauma Center accreditation extension criteria was established
2024 - TraumaHQ powered by IQVIA software was initiated throughout the state
Benefits
Competitive Salaries
Telecommuting and flexible scheduling options
Generous paid time off - vacation, personal, sick, bereavement, childbirth
Complete health, vision, dental, life, and long-term disability options
Wellness programs and a commitment to work-life balance
Employer- funded 401(k) retirement plan (no matching required)
Professional growth through tuition reimbursement, memberships, and conference participation