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Trauma: Wisconsin Admin. Code ch. DHS 118 and Site Review Resources

Wisconsin Stat. § 256.25(2) promulgates the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) with the development of standards used to classify level III and IV hospital emergency capabilities. Wisconsin Admin. Code ch. DHS 118 went through an administrative rule rewrite and updated the standards based on the most recent standards developed by the American College of Surgeons. The new standards went into effect on Oct. 1, 2021.

For an overview of how the standards have changed, please review the Trauma Care Facilities Standards Comparison, P-02967. (PDF)

For questions related to the standards or classification process, please review the information below, the Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 118 Frequently Asked Questions, P-03367 (PDF) or email the DHS Trauma Team at dhstrauma@dhs.wisconsin.gov.

Site review resources

Pre-review questionnaire

  • This is a living document that can be updated as needed.
  • By typing rather than handwriting information, the document can be updated more easily.
  • Several people should review the document for accuracy and spelling.
  • It can be used as an orientation tool for new trauma coordinators or registrars.

Chart review

  • Plan for the trauma medical director and trauma coordinator to attend the chart review.
  • Select your charts in advance, as indicated in the TCF Classification Site Review Agenda. (PDF)
  • If printing your documents:
    • Print the required documents and place in order in a designated folder. It is helpful to have them divided into sections (prehospital, emergency department, transfer, inpatient, etc.).
    • Place all performance improvement documentation, such as checklists or multidisciplinary meeting minutes, pertaining to that issue in the patient-specific folder.
  • If sharing your documents electronically:
    • Ensure you have at least two individuals who are familiar with your system and charts available to assist each of the site reviewers with navigation of the folder. The electronic health record (EHR) should only be utilized upon request of the site reviewers.
    • Ideally, export the items from the EHR and save the documents into a patient-specific folder.
    • Ensure you have all sections of care (prehospital, emergency department, transfer, inpatient) clearly labeled within the specific patient's folder.
    • Ensure you have all performance improvement documentation, such as checklists or multidisciplinary meeting minutes, pertaining to that issue within the specific patient's folder.

For more information, visit the Wisconsin Trauma Care Registry webpage.

When completing your facility's PRQ in preparation for your site visit, the reporting period should cover 12 months of data, but the data should not be older than 15 months from when the PRQ is submitted to DHS. Please review the following table to determine the appropriate PRQ reporting periods based on your facility's scheduled site visit. Your facility can select either option 1 or 2 based on your facility's preference. The PRQ must be submitted 45 days prior to the scheduled site visit.

Month of Scheduled Site Visit (2023) Option 1 Reporting Period Option 2 Reporting Period
January August 1, 2021–July 31, 2022 September 1, 2021–August 31, 2022
February September 1, 2021–August 31, 2022 October 1, 2021–September 30, 2022
March October 1, 2021–September 30, 2022 November 1, 2021–October 31, 2022
April November 1, 2021–October 31, 2022 December 1, 2021–November 30, 2022
May December 1, 2021–November 30, 2022 January 1, 2022–December 31, 2022
June January 1, 2022–December 31, 2022 February 1, 2022–January 31, 2023
July February 1, 2022–January 31, 2023 March 1, 2022–February 28, 2023
August March 1, 2022–February 28, 2023 April 1, 2022–March 31, 2023
September April 1, 2022–March 31, 2023 May 1, 2022–April 30, 2023
October May 1, 2022–April 30, 2023 June 1, 2022–May 31, 2023
November June 1, 2022–May 31, 2023 July 1, 2022–June 30, 2023
December July 1, 2022–June 30, 2023 August 1, 2022–July 31, 2023

When completing your facility's PRQ in preparation for your site visit, the reporting period should cover 12 months of data, but the data should not be older than 15 months from when the PRQ is submitted to DHS. Please review the following table to determine the appropriate PRQ reporting periods based on your facility's scheduled site visit. Your facility can select either option 1 or 2 based on your facility's preference. The PRQ must be submitted 45 days prior to the scheduled site visit.

Month of Scheduled Site Visit (2024) Option 1 Reporting Period Option 2 Reporting Period
January August 1, 2022–July 31, 2023 September 1, 2022–August 31, 2023
February September 1, 2022–August 31, 2023 October 1, 2022–September 30, 2023
March October 1, 2022–September 30, 2023 November 1, 2022–October 31, 2023
April November 1, 2022–October 31, 2023 December 1, 2022–November 30, 2023
May December 1, 2022–November 30, 2023 January 1, 2023–December 31, 2023
June January 1, 2023–December 31, 2023 February 1, 2023–January 31, 2024
July February 1, 2023–January 31, 2024 March 1, 2023–February 28, 2024
August March 1, 2023–February 28, 2024 April 1, 2023–March 31, 2024
September April 1, 2023–March 31, 2024 May 1, 2023–April 30, 2024
October May 1, 2023–April 30, 2024 June 1, 2023–May 31, 2024
November June 1, 2023–May 31, 2024 July 1, 2023–June 30, 2024
December July 1, 2023–June 30, 2024 August 1, 2023–July 31, 2024

Criteria highlights are intended to provide clarification to frequently asked questions or recently cited deficiencies. To receive the criteria highlights in your inbox, subscribe to our GovDelivery list.

Trauma staff resources

Trauma Program Onboarding Toolkit, P-03436 (PDF)

Last revised September 13, 2023