Administrative Law and the U.S. Trauma System: Life on the Ledge

The 2026 Mehlman Lecture This presentation will outline the elements of Frame, a Trauma System, and a Trauma Center. It will also explain the legal and regulatory operational framework of a Trauma System and a Trauma Center. It will describe the unique patient conditions a Trauma System serves, and the challenges faced by its clinical and administrative staff. It will review the governmental and legal regulatory requirements to become and maintain Trauma Center status. We will also explore the barriers to regulatory requirement compliance and the interplay between governmental legal requirements and the requirements of voluntary Trauma Center credit on programs in managing the Trauma System. Lastly, we will discuss aspects of public health law, data registry law, and administrative law.