Which hospital is the adult catchment area trauma center?

• A. Sharp Memorial
• B. UCSD
• C. Rady Children's Hospital
• D. Scripps Memorial

Answer: (A)

In a trauma system, the most appropriate destination for an adult with major trauma is the hospital designated as the adult catchment area trauma center, so they can access a full, 24/7 trauma response and surgical teams without delay. Sharp Memorial is the hospital identified as the adult catchment area trauma center, which means it is configured to provide the specialized care adult trauma patients need from the outset.

Rady Children’s Hospital, while a premier pediatric center, focuses on children and is not the designated adult center. The other hospitals listed (UCSD and Scripps Memorial) are capable facilities, but within this system’s designation, Sharp Memorial is the one established to handle adult major trauma for that catchment area. The point is to route adults to the designated center to ensure immediate access to comprehensive adult trauma services.