IU/Wishard Trauma Center Re-Verified by the American College of Surgeons
December 17, 2007
Contact: Todd Harper
Phone: 317-630-7808
Pager: 317-310-5972
The Committee on Trauma of the American College of Surgeons has re-erified the IU/ishard Trauma Center at Level I, the highest level of trauma care available. This achievement recognizes the trauma center’s dedication to providing optimal care for injured patients.
The IU/ishard Level I Trauma Center is one of the busiest in the state, treating more than 2,500 patients each year. The trauma center at Wishard became the first verified Level I trauma center in the state in 1992 and remains one of only two adult Level I trauma centers in Indiana.
Established by the American College of Surgeons in 1987, the Committee on Trauma's Verification/Consultation Program for Hospitals promotes the development of trauma centers in which participants provide not only the hospital resources necessary for trauma care, but also the entire spectrum of care to address the needs of all injured patients. This encompasses the pre-hospital phase through the rehabilitation process.
"This national distinction is a reflection of the expertise of our physicians, nurses and staff in the multidisciplinary care that is provided by the trauma center at Wishard. It is also an acknowledgment of the institution’s leadership in all aspects of trauma care, patient care, education, research and injury prevention," said Dr. Gerardo Gomez, chief of the Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care and Emergency Surgical Services at Wishard and director of the IU/Wishard Level I Trauma Center. "The IU/Wishard Trauma Center seeks national Level I verification every three years in our ongoing commitment to providing our patients the best chance of recovery after their injuries."
There are four separate categories of verification by the American College of Surgeons. Each category has specific criteria that must be met by a facility seeking that level of verification. The four separate categories include Levels I through IV, with Level I ranking the highest.
A Level I trauma center, such as the IU/Wishard Level I Trauma Center, is a comprehensive regional resource that is central to the trauma system. Trauma centers verified at Level I are capable of providing total care for every aspect of injury, from prevention to rehabilitation. Key elements of a Level I trauma center include 24-hour in-house coverage by general surgeons and prompt availability of care in specialties such as orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, radiology, internal medicine, and critical care.
Level I trauma centers are committed to injury prevention, public education, and continuing education of the trauma team members as well as continued improvement through a comprehensive quality assessment program and an organized research effort to help direct new innovations in trauma care.