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Girard Medical Center Again Receives Level IV Trauma Center Designation from KDHE

August 27, 2015

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The trauma center at Girard Medical Center has again received designation as a Level IV Trauma Center by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).  Every three years, designated trauma centers must meet the essential criteria that ensure trauma care capability and institutional performance as outlined by the American College of Surgeons and endorsed by the Kansas Advisory Committee on Trauma.

“We know that ever second matters when a life-threatening injury occurs.  Trauma center designation is a key part of the overall statewide trauma system which increases the chance of survival and reduces permanent injury for patients in Kansas,” said KDHE Secretary Susan Mosier, MD, MBA. “On behalf of families and visitors in our state, we congratulate Girard Medical Center for serving in this vital role.”

Injuries are a leading cause of death and disability in Kansas.  KDHE’s Trauma Program works to assure those that are injured in Kansas have access to an organized system of trauma care that offers them the best chance of recovery. 

There are four separate categories of designation by the Kansas Trauma Program.  Each category has specific criteria that must be met by a facility seeking that level of designation.  A trauma care system includes a network of hospitals providing a spectrum of care for injured patients.  Trauma center designations are based on the hospital’s care capability, from the highest, Level I, to hospitals designated Level IV.

Level IV trauma centers are rural hospitals whose primary role is to stabilize seriously injured patients and, if necessary, transfer them to a higher level trauma center. Hospitals that have achieved Level IV trauma center designation have demonstrated a commitment to providing optimal care for those who have been seriously injured.

Dr. Adam Paoni, Director of Emergency Services, commented, “We are pleased that we were  the first Level IV trauma center in our region and that we are part of the comprehensive trauma delivery system in the State of Kansas.  I am personally proud of Girard Medical Center’s commitment to delivering quality performance-driven care to injured patients.”