Our Value Proposition
PTSF is dedicated to its values. We uphold these through our unique:
- Board of Directors comprised of administrators, legislators, nurses, and physicians who are leaders and advocates for trauma system excellence;
- Expert team of accreditation, performance improvement, trauma registry, and administrative professionals committed to excellence and innovation;
- Commitment to the full continuum of care—from injury prevention through rehabilitation—ensuring comprehensive system accountability;
- Advanced technology platforms for trauma center registry data acquisition, performance improvement analytics, and comprehensive system monitoring;
- Streamlined, rigorous, and accountable trauma center accreditation process grounded in integrity and uniform standards;
- Statewide multidisciplinary committees focusing on optimal outcomes, including Trauma Registry, Performance Improvement & Patient Safety, Outcomes, Diversity Equity & Inclusion, Standards of Accreditation, Injury Prevention, and Research; and
- Strategic partnerships with state, regional, and national trauma organizations that advance Pennsylvania’s position as a leader in trauma care.
We will deliver value to the trauma centers and customers we serve by:
- Providing high-quality, evidence-based education and mentorship to trauma professionals at all career stages and across all levels of trauma centers;
- Advocating with legislators, policymakers, and the public on the critical value of comprehensive trauma centers and an integrated trauma system;
- Stewarding trauma data to support meaningful research, performance improvement, and system-wide quality enhancement;
- Facilitating multidisciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing through committees, forums, and peer learning opportunities;
- Supporting the complete continuum of trauma care—from prevention through rehabilitation—to reduce preventable deaths and improve outcomes for all Pennsylvania communities and residents;
- Supporting trauma center performance improvement through expert consultation, standardized metrics and benchmarking, data-driven insights, and collaborative quality initiatives that drive measurable improvements in patient outcomes;
- Maintaining rigorous accreditation standards that ensure uniformity, accountability, and optimal patient outcomes statewide;
- Leading strategic initiatives and fostering innovation that position Pennsylvania’s trauma system among the highest caliber in the nation.
Our Structure
Our Board
A 20-member board of directors governs the activities of the Foundation. This board is comprised of professionals with administrative and clinical expertise in the field of Trauma and Emergency Medicine. Members are nominated by a variety of organizations including:
- Five (5) members representing the Hospital & HealthSystem Association of Pennsylvania
- Five (5) members representing the Pennsylvania Medical Society
- Two (2) members representing the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association
- One (1) member representing the Pennsylvania Trauma Nurse Advisory Council
- One (1) member representing the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians
- One (1) member representing the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council
- The Chairman and Minority Chairman of the House Health Committees
- The Chairman and Minority Chairman of the Senate and Public Health and Welfare Committee
- The Secretary of the Department of Health, or Designee
Our PTSF Team
PTSF’s work is guided by a dedicated team of professionals with deep expertise in trauma care, healthcare administration, and trauma system coordination. Our staff brings decades of combined experience in trauma nursing, performance improvement, data registry and analytics, accreditation and organizational management to support Pennsylvania’s trauma centers and advance the state’s trauma system.
Strategic Plan
Strategic Planning
PTSF engages in comprehensive strategic planning to guide our mission of supporting Pennsylvania’s trauma system. Through extensive stakeholder engagement with trauma centers, healthcare partners, and state agencies, we develop multi-year strategic frameworks that identify priorities and define actionable goals. Our strategic planning process ensures PTSF remains responsive to emerging needs while maintaining focus on data excellence, system optimization, and operational sustainability.
Link to PTSF 2026-2028 Strategic Plan
Link to PTSF 2026-2028 Strategic Plan Executive Summary
Our Accreditation Process
PTSF’s accreditation process ensures rigorous, impartial evaluation of trauma centers throughout Pennsylvania. Following comprehensive applications and surveys conducted by trained surveyor teams, all findings and documentation are thoroughly reviewed by the PTSF Board of Directors during deliberation meetings. To maintain the highest standards of objectivity and fairness, all survey materials and accreditation information are carefully redacted to protect center identity, and a strict conflict of interest policy is enforced to prevent anyone from participating in decisions involving conflicting institutions. This transparent, evidence-based approach ensures that accreditation decisions reflect consistent application of trauma care standards across all centers in Pennsylvania’s trauma system.
Our Funding
PTSF is a nonprofit corporation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service code. We sustain our mission through fees from trauma centers and hospitals we serve. Primary funding is obtained through trauma center participation fees, hospital education fees, and fees associated with accreditation services including applications and survey expenses.
Our Committees
There are multiple standing committees within the organized structure of the PTSF. Committees comprised solely of board members serve to assure compliance with the bylaws of the PTSF and internal policies and procedures regarding operations and accreditation. Committees with membership that extends beyond the board membership serve to advance the PTSF’s strategic plan.
Board Committees comprised solely of board members are:
- Conflict of Interest
- Executive
- Finance
- Nominating
- Policy & Procedure
Committees that include membership beyond board members are:
- Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
- Injury Prevention
- Outcomes
- Performance Improvement & Patient Safety
- Standards
- Trauma Registry
- Trauma Research
- Trauma Systems Development
Data Infrastructure and Technology
PTSF is committed to leveraging advanced technology to strengthen Pennsylvania’s trauma system through comprehensive data collection, analysis, and performance improvement. Our TraumaHQ powered by IQVIA platform serves as the central data infrastructure connecting trauma centers across the commonwealth, enabling standardized data capture, real-time reporting, and evidence-based quality improvement initiatives.
Through TraumaHQ, PTSF facilitates:
• Streamlined trauma registry data submission and management
• Standardized performance measurement across all accredited centers
• Benchmarking tools that support continuous quality improvement
• System-wide data analysis to identify trends and improvement opportunities
• Application for Survey (AFS) and Survey Sync (evaluation software)
• Inter-rater reliability software
This robust data infrastructure supports PTSF’s accreditation process, enables trauma centers to track their performance against state and national standards, and provides the analytical foundation for advancing trauma care quality throughout Pennsylvania. By investing in cutting-edge technology and data systems, PTSF ensures that Pennsylvania’s trauma system remains at the forefront of evidence-based care delivery and performance excellence.
