UAMS, The Med picked as top-level trauma centers

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock and the Regional Medical Center in Memphis were selected to provide the highest level of trauma care under the new statewide system for aimed at getting patients specialized care in emergency situations. Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff was designated a Level 2 center, which can provide comprehensive clinical care.

“Today begins a major step in providing Arkansans with a faster, better-coordinated response to traumatic injuries,” Gov. Mike Beebe said. “Our statewide trauma system will save lives and improve emergency care for the victims of accidents. We are all working together for a healthier future for Arkansas.”

The system will connect hospitals, ambulance services and other emergency responders to act as a statewide triage, transporting trauma patients as quickly as possible to the facility best able to treat their specific injuries.

Eighty-six hospitals in Arkansas could eventually become a part of the new trauma system. Of those, 73 have already begun the process by filing letters of intent to request designation as one of the four levels of centers.

A total of $11,425,886.81 in grants has been awarded in the state for training and hospital and ambulance service upgrades since Act 393 of 2009 was signed by Beebe. Part of the money comes from the increase in the cigarette tax.

Arkansas is still one of only three states without a fully functioning trauma system. State health officials hope to have the system running by 2011.

“The monetary and human costs of traumatic injury are staggering in our state, and they are growing with every year,” said Dr. Paul Halverson, director of the Arkansas Department of Health. “A statewide system will help us reduce the effects of injury on the state’s overall health problems.”

Halverson said that the comprehensive system has six major components: solid injury prevention programs, a call center, an ambulance and EMS program, the trauma centers, a registry to track injury from beginning to end and rehabilitation for those who need care following an injury, short- or long-term.

“This system will save lives by getting injured patients to the level of care they need more quickly," said Dr. Dan Rahn, UAMS chancellor. As the state’s only academic medical center and tertiary care center, UAMS has operated for years as a Level I and is pleased to be the first center in Arkansas to receive this state designation.”

Dr. Reginald W. Coopwood, president and CEO of Regional Medical Center at Memphis, said, “The MED is pleased to be among the first facilities designated as a Level I trauma Center for Arkansas."

Walter E. Johnson, President and CEO, said, “We at Jefferson Regional Medical Center realize how important the trauma system is to Arkansans. We were active from the beginning with physicians and administration serving on committees to ensure its passage. We are pleased to be a part of a program that will greatly enhance the health and well-being of patients all across our state.”

The four levels of trauma centers are:

• Level I – comprehensive clinical care and community resource (education, research and outreach)

• Level II – comprehensive clinical care

• Level III – treatment of mild and moderate single system injuries

• Level IV – stabilization and transfer

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