VRC 2026 Standards Q&As

Q: If a site visit is scheduled for September 30–October 1, 2027, which edition of the Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient will apply?

A: Consultation, Initial Verification, and Renewal Reverification site visits that are scheduled before October 4, 2027, will be conducted under the current edition of the Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient (Revised July 2025). Therefore, a site visit scheduled for September 30–October 1, 2027, will be conducted under the current edition.

If your site visit date is before October 4, 2027:

• Use the current edition of the Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient (2022 Standards, Revised July 2025)

If your site visit date is on or after October 4, 2027:

• Use Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient (2026 Standards)

Q: If a requirement appeared in the 2022 Standards but does not appear in the 2026 Standards, is the 2022 requirement still applicable?

A:  For trauma centers reviewed under the 2026 Standards, the 2026 Standards should be used as the standalone source for ACS VRC verification requirements. Requirements from the 2022 Standards that are not included in the 2026 Standards should not be applied unless they have been incorporated into another standard. Some requirements were consolidated with related standards, while others were retired as part of the revision process.

Q: Because the 2026 publication does not include Level IV standards, what guidance should Level IV trauma centers use?

A: The Trauma Verification, Review, and Consultation (VRC) Program has published the first edition of the Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient: Level IV Trauma Center Standards (2026). Learn more.

Q: If a trauma center was reviewed under the 2022 Standards and requires a corrective action review, will the corrective action review be based on the 2022 Standards or the new 2026 Standards?

A: For a corrective action review, the trauma center will generally be reviewed using the same standards under which the original site visit was conducted. Therefore, if the trauma center was reviewed under the 2022 Standards, the corrective action review will also be based on the 2022 Standards.

However, if an applicable standard was revised in the 2026 Standards in a manner that makes the requirement less restrictive, the revision will be reviewed by VRC Leadership and taken into consideration as part of the corrective action review process.

Q: How is an Alternate Pathway request initiated?

A: An Alternate Pathway request is initiated with the site visit application in QPort. The trauma center must identify the candidate in the Site Profile under Additional Information.

VRC staff will then provide the Step 1 pre-eligibility requirements. The required documentation for Step 2 is due five months before the site visit. Step 1 approval must be confirmed before the trauma center completes the Alternate Pathway section of the PRQ.

Q: How can a center request the Alternate Pathway after the site visit application has already been submitted?

A: If the site visit application has already been submitted, the trauma center should contact VRC staff (cotvrc@facs.org) to notify of the Alternate Pathway and add the candidate information to the Site Profile under Additional Information. VRC staff will then provide the Step 1 pre-eligibility requirements.

The required documentation for Step 2 remains due five months before the site visit, and Step 1 approval must be confirmed before the center completes the Alternate Pathway section of the PRQ.