MARTINSBURG, W.Va. – The emergency department at West Virginia University Hospitals-East City Hospital has been verified as a Level III Trauma Center by the Verification Review Committee of the Committee on Trauma (COT) of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). This achievement recognizes the trauma center’s dedication to providing optimal care for injured patients.
Established by the American College of Surgeons in 1987, The COTs consultation/ verification program for hospitals promotes the development of trauma centers in which participants provide not only the hospital resources necessary for trauma care, but also the entire spectrum of care to address the needs of all injured patients.
“This verification is a culmination of the extraordinary work by our team of physicians, nurses and other clinicians and their shared goal of providing the best possible trauma care to area residents,” said James Carrier, MD, medical director of trauma services. “It’s a coordinated effort among multiple departments at City Hospital and emergency medical service providers to ensure a rapid response for delivering care to injured patients.”
Verified trauma centers must meet the essential criteria that ensure trauma care capability and institutional performance, as outlined by the American College of Surgeons’ Committee on Trauma. Achieving verification status recognizes the hospital’s dedication to providing optimal care for injured patients.
Each hospital has an on-site review by a team of experienced site reviewers who conduct the survey. There are five separate categories of verification in the COT’s program, each with specific criteria that must be met. The ACS committee does not designate trauma centers, but provides confirmation that a trauma center has demonstrated its commitment to providing the highest quality trauma care.
City Hospital’s emergency department was designated as a Level III West Virginia Trauma Center in 2004; only one of two hospitals in the state of West Virginia. According to Donnie Grubb, trauma coordinator, certified physicians and nurses are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They are supported by an organized resuscitation team, which includes continuous general surgical and orthopedic coverage along with specialty services.
In addition to providing a certain level of care, City Hospital’s Trauma Center is also involved in prevention activities. An active outreach program has been established for its referring communities and conducts educational programs for nurses, physicians and allied health care providers involved with trauma.
“On behalf of the Committee on Trauma, I would like to extend congratulations to WVUH-East City Hospital on your verification as a Level III Trauma Center,” stated ACS Verification Review Committee Chairman Chris Cribari, MD, FACS. “We commend Donnie Grubb, Dr. James Carrier and the entire team of professionals for your demonstrated commitment to provide superior trauma care,” he added.