State of Colorado Designates MMH

as a Level III Trauma Center

 On March 23, 2010, Montrose Memorial Hospital had a successful on-site Level III Trauma Center review by the State of Colorado.  The reviewers noted no deficiencies and no items met with reservations at the review.  Since MMH met all of the criteria, MMH received an automatic recommendation from the Designation Review Committee to advance to a Level III Trauma Center.  Factors considered in the determination of the designation included the hospital’s application, the evaluation of the trauma care delivered over the past twelve months, the best interests of the trauma patients and how MMH integrates into the statewide emergency medical and trauma system.  MMH is the only Level III Trauma Center in this region.  Dr. Steve Sawyer, MMH Trauma Medical Director said “This designation recognizes the many improvements that we have been able to make over the past couple of years at MMH. It also demonstrates our commitment to this community to continually improve the care that we give. “

The difference between the previous Level IV Trauma designation and a Level III Trauma designation is significant.  Level III Centers must have Board Certified Emergency physicians in the emergency department at all times.  We must also have a general surgeon available within 20 minutes of a trauma notification, as well as orthopaedic surgeons.  A Level III quality assurance program is very extensive and a trauma committee oversees the care of every trauma patient that comes to our hospital.  As a Level III, we are also required to participate in injury prevention activities and community education to reduce the incidence of injuries.

The State Health Department and American College of Surgeons set the requirements for each designation level.  They also dictate which patients can be treated and which patients must be transferred to higher designated centers.  Pre-hospital (EMS) care is a vital part of this trauma system, which in this region includes ambulances and helicopters.  Having a statewide trauma system means that the patient is taken to a designated trauma center, assessed and treated or transferred to a higher level center with the appropriate medical staff to care for the patient.  The state-wide trauma systems began in the early 1970’s to assure a national standard of care for the injured patient.