UPMC Altoona’s trauma center is dropping its Level ll designation to Level lll beginning in September. A UPMC spokesperson reportedly says the reason for the drop is because in recent years the volume of complex traumatic injuries in the community has declined. Reportedly, the biggest difference between the two levels is the number of surgeons. Level ll requires 24-hour general surgeons on staff. Level lll only requires general surgeons, and anesthesiologists to be available 24/7.
