In 2004, the Emergency Room of Doctors Medical Center was designated a Level II Trauma Center by the Mountain Valley Regional Emergency Medical Services Agency.  “We have been following the guidelines for a Level II Trauma Center for years, “ says Laura List, Director of Trauma Services at DMC.  “This designation now recognizes that on a state and national level.”

A key requirement for obtaining the Level II designation is having the trauma surgeon at the patient’s bedside within 20 minutes after notification of the arrival of a patient judged to be in need of surgical evaluation.  The trauma surgeon is the captain of a trauma team that is rapidly assembled when word reaches the hospital that a trauma case is on the way.”

If needed, there is an operating room held for trauma cases.  And if certain symptoms are present – multiple broken bones, head injury, loss of consciousness – the first surgeon may call in a neurosurgeon, an orthopedic surgeon or some other surgical specialist.  Should another trauma case be brought in while this case is being treated, a backup trauma surgeon is on call, and a backup Trauma Room and operating room will be available as well.

When the patient is out of danger, he is given the appropriate hospital care, and while he is recovering he will be visited once a day by a trauma surgeon, a trauma nurse and a trauma PA. 

“We have considerable experience with this process because the guidelines we follow are those set down for quality trauma care by The American College of Surgeons, and we have been following them for some time,” List stresses.  “In addition, however, now that we are a Level II facility, we are required to maintain internal quality assurance programs and submit monthly reports to meet the requirements of the state’s Trauma Care System Regulations.”

“Another change that comes with this recognition:  the Level II designation permits first responders in the field to sort patients according to the seriousness of their injuries, with the serious cases going to a Level II Trauma Center, which DMC now is.”

In the most practical terms the DMC Emergency Department’s high standards of trauma care – which is available to local patients who are not severely injured as well – are a boon for the community.  Asked to recall a case she is particularly proud of, List says, “There was one man who was in a car accident and wasn’t wearing a seatbelt.  He was thrown from his car, and probably should have died.  The fact that it happened close to our center saved his life – fi there had bee any delay in care, or if he had gone to a facility that doesn’t have Level II guidelines in place, he might not have made it.”