Minnesota's trauma system is a network of hospitals and ambulance services organized and coordinated to optimize the care provided to seriously injured people by ensuring that injured people are cared for at a hospital with resources that are matched with the injured persons' needs. Hospitals voluntarily participate in the trauma system by attaining designation. Traumatic injury is the leading cause of death for people between the ages of one and 44, and the third leading cause of death overall, second only to cancer and heart disease. More years of potential life before age 65 are lost due to injury than due to any other cause. Deaths due to injury costs Minnesota over $2.5 billion dollars each year. For a severely injured person, the time between sustaining an injury and receiving definitive care is the most important predictor of survival—the “golden hour.” The chance of survival diminishes with time, despite of the availability of resources and modern technology. However, a trauma system enhances the chance of survival regardless of proximity to an urban trauma center. MCMC is designated as an official Level IV Trauma Facility.