Lima Memorial re-verified as Level II Trauma Center
The Lima Memorial Health System (LMHS) Trauma Center has been re-verified as a Level II trauma center by the Committee on Trauma (COT) of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). This achievement recognizes the trauma center’s dedication to providing optimal care for injured patients.
According to Travis Clouse, trauma manager at LMHS, this re-verification shows a commitment to providing the highest and most comprehensive level of care and support to critically injured patients.
“This commitment of service provides our community and surrounding communities in the region the availability of expertise trauma team care that is crucial during the initial hours of injury,” he said.
LMHS underwent an on-site review by a team of experienced trauma surgeons and met essential criteria to ensure trauma care. According to Sue Fickel, LMHS vice president of nursing and chief nursing officer, trauma care touches every part of the Health System and the re-verification process was a multi-disciplinary effort by many people at LMHS.
Lima Memorial was first verified as a Level II trauma center in 2002 and was re-verified again in 2005.
According to Fickel, it is all about saving lives.
“Of course we would like to see injuries not happen, but when they do, we have a standard of care and response in place that saves lives,” she said.
Established by the American College of Surgeons in 1987, the COT’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 spectrum encompasses pre-hospital through rehabilitation care.