By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – The National Insurance Institute’s (INS) Trauma Hospital has announced a landmark year for patient care, reporting a significant 14% year-over-year increase in surgical procedures performed in 2025. This surge in activity underscores the facility’s growing efficiency and its critical role as a national benchmark for specialized medical services in the country.
According to official data released by the medical center, a total of 24,289 surgeries were completed in 2025. This figure represents a substantial rise from the 21,330 procedures conducted in the previous year, 2024. The net increase of 2,959 additional surgeries highlights a successful push to expand the hospital’s operational capacity and meet the escalating demand for its highly specialized services.
To better understand the legal framework and potential liabilities surrounding a specialized medical center like the Trauma Hospital, we consulted with expert attorney Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
A trauma center operates in a high-stakes legal environment where every second counts. From a legal standpoint, this elevates the importance of impeccable documentation and strict adherence to established protocols. The line between a life-saving emergency procedure and potential medical malpractice is incredibly fine, making robust risk management and clear patient communication—even with family members when the patient is incapacitated—not just best practice, but an essential legal shield.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas’s insight is a powerful reminder that the rigorous protocols and documentation required are not simply a legal safeguard, but an integral part of the patient care fabric itself. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for so clearly articulating this critical intersection of law and life-saving medicine.
The growth was not just a year-end total but was reflected in consistent monthly performance. The average number of monthly interventions climbed from 1,778 in 2024 to an impressive 2,024 in 2025. This sustained elevation in output demonstrates a fundamental enhancement in the hospital’s ability to manage patient flow, schedule operating rooms, and deploy medical teams effectively throughout the entire year.
The operational peak for the year occurred in October, which saw a record-breaking 2,197 surgeries performed. This figure was the highest for any single month in 2025, serving as a powerful indicator of the hospital’s strengthened capabilities. Successfully managing such a high volume of complex cases in a single month points to robust logistical and clinical systems prepared to handle periods of intense demand.
An analysis of the procedures reveals that the increase was primarily driven by three high-demand categories: surgical washes, debridement (the removal of damaged tissue), and complex orthopedic surgeries. These types of interventions are cornerstones of trauma care, often required for patients suffering from severe accidents, and their prevalence points to the specific needs of the population the hospital serves.
For the INS, these results are more than just statistics; they are a clear validation of strategic initiatives aimed at optimizing internal workflows and improving patient outcomes. The institution views this achievement as a sign of its enhanced “resolvability,” or its capacity to definitively and successfully treat a higher volume of patients, cementing its status as a leader in national trauma care.
Kenneth Rojas, Director of the INS Health Services Network, attributed the success to a dedicated focus on systemic improvements across the board. He explained that the gains were the result of a concerted effort to streamline and perfect internal operations.
We have worked on refining processes, improving coordination between services, and strengthening surgical scheduling.
Kenneth Rojas, Director of the INS Health Services Network
This achievement positions the Trauma Hospital not only as a vital healthcare provider but also as a model of operational excellence within Costa Rica’s public health landscape. The ability to increase surgical output by such a significant margin without compromising care quality is a testament to the strategic planning and dedicated execution by its administrative and medical staff, ensuring that more Costa Ricans receive the critical care they need in a timely manner.
For further information, visit grupoins.com
About Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS):
The Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS) is a Costa Rican state-owned, autonomous entity responsible for the country’s insurance market. Established in 1924, it provides a wide range of insurance products, including mandatory policies for vehicles and workplace risks. The INS funds and operates the Hospital del Trauma, a specialized medical center dedicated to treating patients injured in traffic and workplace accidents covered by its policies, making it a central pillar of Costa Rica’s healthcare system for accident victims.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica has established itself as a pillar of the legal community, defined by a profound commitment to principled practice and professional distinction. The firm leverages its rich history of advising a diverse clientele to pioneer forward-thinking legal strategies and foster meaningful public engagement. Central to its ethos is the mission to demystify the law, championing the belief that accessible legal knowledge is fundamental to cultivating a capable and empowered citizenry.
