The Pediatric Trauma Service at Babies & Children's Hospital of New York cares for injured children, utilizing the broad scope of the hospital's pediatric services and staff. We treat a wide of variety of pediatric trauma patients, ranging from children hurt in high-speed motor vehicle accidents to those injured while roller-blading. The Pediatric Trauma Service includes pediatric general surgeons, pediatric orthopedic surgeons, pediatric neurosurgeons, pediatric radiologists, and the many other physicians, nurses, and health care professionals who may be needed to care for pediatric trauma patients. At the hospital, a specially trained and designated trauma team assesses every child as if he or she had a life-threatening injury, using a carefully developed trauma protocol. This systematic assessment helps to minimize the chance that an injury will be missed.

 The Babies & Children's Hospital of New York is a Level One Trauma Center, and has been designated by the City and State of New York as a Regional Pediatric Trauma Center. It is one of only three facilities in New York State to have a center dedicated to the care of injured children.

 The Pediatric Transport Team is available 24 hours a day to transport critically injured children to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. It is staffed by physicians and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit nurses. With just one phone call, arrangements can be made for an injured child to be transported to the Babies & Children's Hospital for further assessment, monitoring, and care. Physicians may call 1-800-ICU-STAT at any time.

 Our Trauma Team also has an active community education effort in injury prevention. Trauma Team staff are available to discuss "safety strategies" with teachers, parent groups, school nurses, and paramedics, on such topics as the proper use of child safety seats, seat belts, air bags, bicycle helmets, summer safety and home safety.

 For further information about the Pediatric Trauma Service, special problems, or questions, please call us at 212-305-9911. Our Pediatric Trauma Coordinator, Jeanne Rubsam, R.N., M.S., can also be contacted by e-mail (rubsamj@cpmailnz.cis.columbia.edu).