Marshfield Medical Center-Dickinson (MMC-D) has received a Level IV (Four) Trauma Center designation from the state of Michigan.
For more than seventy years, MMC-D has provided care in our community, saving the lives of critically injured people. The Level IV Trauma designation is a testament to the team’s continued commitment to delivering high-quality trauma care to our patients.
Marshfield Clinic Health System (MCHS) MI Region President Mandy Shelast said, “ThevMarshfield-Dickinson trauma team spent months of hard work applying and implementing protocols and preparing for and passing the state survey to achieve the Level IV Trauma Center designation. The Level IV designation signifies that a higher level of care is now available to our patients thanks to the added training and increased medical expertise of our providers. I am proud of the team for continuing to identify ways to improve our patients’ health and safety.”
Elements of Level IV Trauma Centers Include:
• Emergency department facilities to implement Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) protocols and 24-hour laboratory coverage;
• Trauma physicians, Advanced Practice Clinicians (APC’s), and nurse(s) available upon patient arrival;
• Surgical and critical-care services;
• Has developed transfer agreements for patients requiring more comprehensive care at a Level I or Level II Trauma Center(s);
• Incorporates a comprehensive quality assessment program;
• Involved with prevention efforts and must have an active outreach program for its referring communities.
MMC-D Trauma Medical Director and Emergency Department Doctor Bryan Brazeau, MD, stated, “Trauma care is a team effort and every second matters when caring for trauma patients in a rural area. We work collaboratively with local EMS agencies to ensure our care is timely and appropriate. Since implementing the changes needed to qualify as a Level IV trauma center, we have seen increased decisiveness and effectiveness in evaluating the next care steps. Not only have we seen improvements in the emergency department, but we have also made great strides in the prehospital setting and inpatient care.
A Level IV Trauma Center offers 24-hour emergency coverage from providers with ATLS certification.
Trauma team members have worked diligently over the last twenty months to implement processes and training to meet the state’s requirements. Added training for increased safety and reliability when stabilizing a seriously injured patient and prepping them for transfer to a higher-level trauma center.
MMC-D Trauma Program Coordinator Andrew Flagstadt shared, “Having the Level IV trauma designation, our community can feel confident knowing that our staff has the specialty trauma training required to provide the highest quality of care for our patients in their greatest time of need.”
Comments