Mega Doctor News
Rio Grande Valley residents with severe, life-threatening injuries can continue to depend on South Texas Health System McAllen for the highest level of trauma and critical care.
The facility’s emergency department has been successfully re-verified as a Level I trauma center by the American College of Surgeons (ACS), the professional medical association that plays a vital role in trauma care by setting national standards, providing education and supporting trauma systems across the country.
The reverification by the ACS’ Committee on Trauma included a site survey at STHS McAllen to confirm it meets the highest levels of institutional performance and patient care capabilities.
As one of only 216 designated Level I trauma centers in the United States, the facility has reinforced its status as a leading resource across the four-county region for the complete spectrum of structured trauma services, from prevention and emergency intervention to recovery and rehabilitation.
“Congratulations to STHS McAllen’s stellar trauma team for successfully completing the American College of Surgeon’s arduous reverification process to maintain the facility’s Level I trauma center status,” says Emma Montes-Ewing, Chief Executive Officer, STHS McAllen. “STHS McAllen takes immense pride in providing comprehensive, coordinated and patient-centered care from the initial injury through the rehabilitation process and beyond for trauma patients of all ages, which has helped minimize gaps in care and maximize their recovery potential. This reverification is a testament that STHS McAllen is providing the highest level of trauma and critical care that our community deserves.”
The ACS Committee on Trauma’s Consultation/Verification Program for hospitals was established by the American College of Surgeons in 1987. It promotes the development of trauma centers in which participants are assessed for commitment, readiness, resources, policies, patient care, performance improvement and other relevant features as outlined in its Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient standards. Trauma care is evaluated from the preadmission phase through the rehabilitation process.
Verified trauma centers must meet the essential criteria that ensure trauma care capability and institutional performance, as outlined by the ACS Committee on Trauma in its developed standards as outlined in its Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient manual.
There are three levels of verification for hospitals that serve adults.
For Level I trauma centers like STHS McAllen, they must be able to provide system leadership and comprehensive trauma care for all injury types and severities and must be equipped to manage the most complex injuries while maintaining an adequate depth of resources and personnel.
A Level I trauma center must provide the highest level of surgical care to trauma patients. It has a full range of specialists and equipment available 24/7and must admit at least 1,200 trauma patients a year or have 240 admissions with an Injury Severity Score of more than 15 for adults. STHS McAllen exceeds these minimum requirements, admitting more than 1,250 trauma patients annually.
Additionally, Level I trauma centers must play a vital role in advancing trauma care through research, education and training of healthcare professionals while being involved in community-based injury prevention programs and public education initiatives.
“The American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma verification process is considered the ‘gold standard’ for ensuring exceptional quality trauma care, with those verified as Level I trauma centers considered the best of the best,” Carlos Palacio, MD, FACS, an STHS Clinics trauma surgeon who serves as the medical director of the STHS McAllen trauma program. “STHS McAllen’s Level I trauma center has been instrumental in ensuring trauma patients in South Texas receive the best care possible, as evidenced by this important reverification. I’m honored to collaborate with an outstanding team committed to providing the highest level of quality, compassionate trauma and critical care while working tirelessly throughout South Texas to prevent life-threatening injuries.”
STHS McAllen is part of the STHS Trauma & Critical Care Institute, the largest integrated network of emergency care in the Rio Grande Valley with 11 emergency rooms throughout the region. To learn more about the Level I Trauma Center at STHS McAllen, visit STHSMcAllen.com.
