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News Release
Regions Hospital earns certification as only Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center in the upper Midwest
New standards for pediatric trauma from the American College of Surgeons
June 15, 2009
St. Paul, Minn. - The American College of Surgeons has certified Regions Hospital as a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center, the highest level available. Regions Hospital is the only hospital in the upper Midwest to earn this certification.
Level I Pediatric Trauma Centers must meet stringent standards including:
- specialists with advanced training in pediatric and critical care who are available 24/7
- the expertise that comes from treating at least 200 pediatric trauma patients each year
- operating rooms that are readily available around the clock
- priority status for lab work and x-rays
"This certification reflects the fact that Regions Hospital is the best equipped in our region to provide specialized care for injured children," said Brad Feltis, MD, medical director of pediatric trauma. There are only 18 other Level I Pediatric Trauma Centers in the United States. The nearest centers to Regions are in Milwaukee and Chicago.
Regions was designated as a Level I Trauma Center for adults in 1993, providing care for injured children as well. In 2007, the ACS raised standards to require separate trauma certification for children under the age of 15. While the Level I certification was granted to Regions Hospital, Regions and Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare share a facility and work together to provide care to children.
"Because time is often the most important predictor of survival, it's critical to take children who have been injured to a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center where they will have immediate access to all of the specialized care they might need," said Michael McGonigal, MD, director of trauma program.
The Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center designation is also significant because state legislation passed in 2005 requires ambulance services to transport major trauma patients to the highest state-designated trauma hospital within 30 minutes.
About Regions Hospital
Regions Hospital is a Level I Trauma Center and teaching hospital serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin for more than 130 years. Regions is a private, non-profit hospital providing outstanding care in women's health, heart, cancer, surgery, orthopaedics, neurosciences, burn, emergency care and more. Regions is part of the HealthPartners family of care. Additional information is available at regionshospital.com.
Contact: 952-883-5308
651-629-0411 (pager)
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