Verde Valley Medical Center designated a Level IV Trauma Center
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Aug. 31, 2011
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Verde Valley Medical Center recently was designated a Level IV Trauma Center by the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). ADHS has recognized the commitment of VVMC and local physicians and surgeons to provide trauma care to the residents and visitors of Central and Northern Arizona.
Designated as a Level IV Trauma Center recognizes VVMC has successfully met state standards of clinical and equipment resources, and staff training for the assessment and treatment of trauma patients.
“For years, VVMC has been providing care to emergency and trauma patients,” said James Bleicher, M.D., VVMC president and CEO. “After participating in a rigorous survey process with the state, VVMC now is being recognized for that level of care.”
With this designation, VVMC becomes part of a statewide trauma system. The goal of the trauma system is to ensure that optimal trauma care is available and accessible to seriously injured people across the state. Trauma centers are classified as levels I, II, III and IV depending on their resources, admissions, staff, research and education involvement. The standard of education and skills required of nurses and physicians are the same for all levels.
VVMC is one of 15 Arizona hospitals that are designated a Level IV Trauma Center by ADHS. As a Level IV Trauma Center, VVMC will provide care for some trauma patients and can stabilize more severely-injured patients before they are transported to a Level I facility. There are eight state-designated Level I Trauma Centers in Arizona including Flagstaff Medical Center.
The basic tenet of trauma services is to provide healthcare rapidly, in what is termed “the Golden Hour,” to reduce mortality. States with trauma systems have seen survival rates increase by 15 to 20 percent.
“We understand how important this designation is for the community – more than 40 percent of Arizona trauma patients don’t reach a designated trauma center within the first hour after their injury,” Dr. Bleicher said. “Receiving care in that first hour may be critical for survival. Having a Level IV Trauma Center in the Verde Valley ensures residents and visitors have access to a hospital that is capable to care for them and that is part of a system of care.”
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