The review is done by the Verification Review Committee (VRC), an ad hoc committee of the Committee on Trauma (COT) of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). Lowell General Hospital has been re-verified as a Level III Trauma Center, an achievement that recognizes the trauma center's dedication to providing optimal care for injured patients. A Level III Trauma Center has demonstrated an ability to provide prompt assessment, resuscitation, surgery, intensive care and stabilization of injured patients and emergency operations. Verified trauma centers must also meet essential criteria that ensure trauma care capability and institutional performance.
The actual establishment and the designation of trauma centers is the function of local, regional or state healthcare systems agencies, such as the local emergency medical services (EMS) authority.
The ACS Committee on Trauma's verification program provides confirmation that a trauma center has demonstrated its commitment to providing the highest quality trauma care for all injured patients.