Hospital maintains Level II trauma center status

Advanced trauma care close to home is a gift all central Utah families will receive this year now that Utah Valley Regional Medical Center has officially maintained its trauma center designation.

Utah Valley Regional is the only Level II trauma center south of Salt Lake County. Trauma programs must re-certify every three years in order to maintain their designation, which comes from the American College of Surgeons.

“It takes a whole hospital to care for trauma patients,” said Craig Cook, MD, trauma director at Utah Valley Regional. “The key players in our trauma service are highly committed individuals and truly care for our community.”

So far in 2014, Utah Valley Regional’s Trauma Service has responded to more than 1,620 activation calls. That’s up 500 calls from 2013. More than 2,200 injured patients have been treated this year, which represents almost a 12 percent increase from last year.
 
People injured in automobile accidents or from not wearing a helmet when appropriate are a large portion of the patients seen by the Trauma Service. Injuries that make the “trauma one” list and mobilize the hospital’s trauma team include:
•    Penetrating injuries to the head, neck or chest
•    Severe burns, especially to the face
•    Spinal injury with paralysis
•    Injuries with low blood pressure
•    Airway problems requiring a tube be inserted to help a patient breathe

Dr. Cook said the coordination of care for trauma patients between all hospitals in Utah County has significantly improved over the past several years through regular meetings and educational opportunities. And working together leads to better patient care at each facility.

“We are the highest level of care in our area and as such, it’s our role to provide leadership and education to other hospitals,” said Dr. Cook. “There’s a huge role for other hospitals and if we work together as a team, then the care for all patients is better.”