Hi-Desert Medical Center in San Bernardino County is now a Level IV Trauma Center.
The designation is held on Wednesday at the Joshua Tree campus.
The hospital serves the communities of Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms.
Being named a Level 4 Trauma Center means the facility meets the criteria for a level of services established by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma and includes “advanced trauma education for nurses and physicians, protocols, and advanced clinical equipment.” the hospital group shared. with News Channel 3.
“It has been a very smooth transition because we were fortunate to work with our sister hospital, JFK Memorial Hospital, which became a Level 4 Trauma Center last year,” said Robin Raymond, RN. “They were instrumental in guiding us through the steps and informing us of things to anticipate. This is one of the benefits of being a part of the Desert Care Network – we didn’t have to reinvent the wheel.”
News Channel 3’s Miyoshi Price will take you inside the hospital to show you what’s new on News Channel 3 at 5:00.
“We have been working on this for about a year and a half, and I am excited to see this become a reality for the community,” said Dr. Babak Khazaeni, MD, Medical Director of Hi-Centro Emergency Departments. Regional Doctor of the Desert and Regional Medical Center of the Desert.
According to According to the American Trauma Society, elements of Level IV Trauma Centers include:
- Basic emergency department facilities to implement ATLS protocols and 24-hour laboratory coverage. Trauma nurse(s) and physicians available upon patient arrival.
- May provide surgical and intensive care services if available.
- He has developed transfer agreements for patients who require more comprehensive care at a Level I or Level II Trauma Center.
- It incorporates a comprehensive quality assessment program.
- Involved with prevention efforts and must have an active outreach program for their communities of reference.
Desert area hospitals prepare for trauma response
JFK Memorial Hospital in Indio was designated a Level IV Trauma Center last fall.
JFK Memorial Hospital President and CEO Gary Honts said at the time that the hospital’s designation allows doctors to offer a broader range of medical care including blunt trauma, significant falls and head injuries, gunshot wounds and knives, burns, as well as car and motorcycle accidents.
JFK can also handle minor pediatric trauma cases and evaluate and transfer patients to its sister facility, Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, if a higher level of care is needed.
Desert Regional is designated as a Level Two Trauma Center. According to According to the American Trauma Society, elements of Level II Trauma Centers include:
- Immediate 24-hour coverage by general surgeons, as well as coverage by the specialties of orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, radiology and critical care.
- Tertiary care needs, such as cardiac surgery, hemodialysis, and microvascular surgery, may be referred to a Level I Trauma Center.
- Provides trauma prevention and continuing education programs for staff.
- It incorporates a comprehensive quality assessment program.
Eisenhower Health announced the hospital’s designation as a Level Four Trauma Center in November.
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