FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 16, 2002
Providence Centralia Hospital Awarded New Trauma Designation
CENTRALIA, Wash.--The Providence Centralia Hospital Emergency Department has been awarded a Level III trauma designation by the Washington State Department of Health. Designations range from Level I to Level V.
To be awarded a Level III designation, the hospital must have emergency physicians and nurses available within 5 minutes, and surgeons within 30 minutes, to assess, resuscitate, stabilize and initiate transfer as necessary to a higher level trauma care service. Level III trauma facilities provide initial evaluation and stabilization (including surgery) to trauma patients. Comprehensive medical and surgical inpatient services are available to patients who can be maintained in a stable or improving condition without specialized care.
Trauma redesignation takes place once every three years. Providence Centralia Hospital was a Level IV designation for the past six years. With the increasing number of trauma incidences and the hospital’s status as the primary hospital in Lewis County, the hospital commits itself to providing optimal care to trauma patients.
Trauma is a medical term for injury. Major trauma is the medical term for physical injury requiring medical and/or surgical intervention to preserve life or prevent permanent disability. Trauma services have been developed to ensure facilities are identified to provide appropriate care and service to major trauma patients.
The trauma program at Providence Centralia Hospital is committed to outreach and education for the community. The hospital has developed programs emphasizing injury prevention for the general public and trauma education programs for caregivers.
Dede Utley, RN, CEN, Providence Centralia Hospital Emergency Department clinical supervisor, spends time keeping people from becoming trauma patients. Utley takes the lead on injury prevention education for Lewis County residents of all ages. She responds to all public requests for information, such as questions about bike safety and consequences of driving while impaired.
Providence Centralia Hospital, part of the Providence Health System, is a not-for-profit 191-bed hospital serving Lewis County with comprehensive medical, surgical and educational services.
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