Trauma Center
A traumatic injury can happen at any time: a car accident, a fall, an animal bite. CHOC is ready to treat traumatic injuries 24 hours a day.
Critically injured children from across the region are transported and transferred to CHOC for the pediatric expertise only a children’s hospital can provide. As the only the level 1 pediatric trauma center in Orange County, our trained trauma team cares for children and their unique physiological, anatomical and emotional needs. Moreover, our protocols and equipment are specially designed for pediatrics.
What is a trauma center?
A trauma center is a hospital with a special team to treat patients with traumatic injury.
What is a traumatic injury?
A traumatic injury is a blunt or penetrating injury that requires immediate medical treatment for the patient to survive. Usually, these injuries are the result of car accidents, pedestrian accidents or falls.
If my child experiences a trauma, what should I do?
Please call 911 immediately if your child needs immediate medical attention and safe transport to the hospital. First responders will take your child to the nearest trauma center, which may be CHOC.
What is required to be a Level I pediatric trauma center, like CHOC?
CHOC is a referral source for communities throughout the region. We provide total care for every aspect of injury – from prevention through rehabilitation. As the only Level I trauma center in Orange County, CHOC goes above and beyond to meet the requirements by offering the following:
- 24-hour in-house coverage by general surgeons, and prompt availability of care in specialties such as orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, radiology, internal medicine, plastic surgery, oral and maxillofacial, pediatric and critical care
- Providing leadership in injury prevention, public education to surrounding communities
- State-of-the-art operating rooms for performing immediate or emergency surgery using the latest and safest procedures.
- Continuing education of the trauma team members, while operating an organized teaching and research effort to help direct new innovations in trauma care
- Support services for patients and their families dealing with a traumatic situation, including psychology services, child life services, social services and our Pediatric Advanced Care Team.
- Additional services in the hospital including a blood bank, radiology and rehabilitation services.
Our pediatric trauma center is designated by the American College of Surgeons and Orange County Emergency Medical Services.
Safety and Injury Prevention
CHOC has a commitment to create a safe community for families in Orange County. Our injury prevention program provides parents and children with safety tips and education. By utilizing education, research, evidence based strategies and collaboration with community partners, we can break the cycle of unintentional injury. Learn more about injury prevention.
Trauma Support Services
We know a trauma can have lasting effects on a child and family. However, CHOC does more than treat an immediate injury. Our team strives to minimize the emotional impact and the needs of the child and family after a trauma. Our compassionate and skilled support services include:
- Child life specialists who help children understand the hospital experience and feel less nervous or anxious
- Psychologists who help patients and families cope with a serious situation such as a trauma
- Social workers who advocate on a family’s behalf and assist with any psychosocial needs
- Rehabilitation services for follow-up care after an injury if needed
No other trauma center in the region offers the whole mind-body care you’ll find at CHOC.
Getting Here
CHOC trauma center is at The Julia and George Argyros Emergency Department, on the first floor of the Bill Holmes Tower. From La Veta Avenue, turn on to Pepper Street, pass the main hospital entrance and turn in at the second driveway under the Emergency sign. Valet parking is available.
1201 W. La Veta Ave. | Orange, CA 92868
Phone: 888-770-2462
Get printable maps of our campus in English or Spanish.
If your child needs immediate medical attention and you cannot safely transport your child to the hospital, please call 911 immediately. Families may request to be taken to CHOC Hospital in Orange by ambulance.
Click on image for directions.