If the designated pediatric trauma center is on bypass, pediatric trauma patients should be delivered to which hospital?

• A. Rady Children's Hospital
• B. Sharp Memorial Hospital
• C. UCSD Medical Center
• D. UCSD (backup pediatric trauma center)

Answer: (D)

In a pediatric trauma system, there is a designated primary pediatric trauma center and a backup center. When the primary center is on bypass and cannot accept patients, the protocol directs transport to the backup pediatric trauma center to ensure the child still reaches a facility equipped for pediatric trauma care. That’s why UCSD, as the backup pediatric trauma center, is the correct destination in this scenario. The other hospitals may be capable of general care, but they are not the designated backup for bypass situations, so they are not the default choice when the primary is unavailable. If both centers are unavailable, the rule would shift to the nearest facility with pediatric trauma capability.