Level I Trauma Center affirmed for Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn

Scottsdale hospital earns American College of Surgeons’ highest level of verification

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn is now one of only two Level I Trauma Centers in Arizona to achieve verification by the American College of Surgeons.

ACS Level I is the highest level of verification for U.S. trauma center capabilities. It means that Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn is able to treat the most critically injured and ill patients because a full spectrum of medical and surgical specialists are available at any time.

Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn is the east valley’s only Level I Trauma Center. As part of the verification process, the Arizona Department of Health Services also renewed its state Level I designation for Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn.

Level I Trauma Center verification means trauma specialists are available around the clock, including orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, cardiac surgery, thoracic surgery, hand surgery, microvascular surgery, plastic surgery, obstetric and gynecologic surgery, ophthalmology, otolaryngology and urology. Hospitals without these resources frequently transfer patients to Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn.

“This is the highest level a trauma center can achieve. It is an incredible accomplishment for the staff and physicians on our trauma team and those who support our trauma program,” said Gary Baker, senior vice president and administrator, Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn. “ACS Level I is another affirmation of Scottsdale Healthcare’s commitment to excellence in patient care.”

In his notification letter to the hospital, Dr. Frank L. Mitchell, chair of the American College of Surgeons verification review committee, stated, “We commend Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn for its demonstrated commitment to provide superior trauma care.”

Level I Trauma Centers must have the capability to provide total care for every aspect of injury from prevention through rehabilitation. They also must have a major commitment to education, research and planning. This includes support for surgical residency programs and postgraduate training in trauma for physicians, nurses and prehospital providers.

“Scottsdale Healthcare is better positioned than most for providing trauma care. In addition to our highly talented local medical professionals, our Military Trauma Training Program helps increase our ability to respond to disasters and benefits soldiers overseas in harm’s way,” said Vicki Bennett, RN, MSN, trauma program manager.

Scottsdale Healthcare is the first hospital system in Arizona, and possibly first in the nation, to post real-time hospital ER wait times on its web site, http://www.shc.org/. The Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn ER also includes a primary stroke center, and it is a member of the Arizona Cardiac Arrest Consortium.

Scottsdale Healthcare is the not-for-profit parent organization of the Scottsdale Healthcare Shea, Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn and Scottsdale Healthcare Thompson Peak hospitals, Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center, Scottsdale Clinical Research Institute, TGen Clinical Research Services at Scottsdale Healthcare, Scottsdale Healthcare Home Health Services and Scottsdale Healthcare Community Health Services and Scottsdale Healthcare Foundation.

Technorati Tags: American College of Surgeons, Arizona, Arizona Cardiac Arrest Consortium, Arizona Department of Health Services, Dr. Frank L. Mitchell, Gary Baker, healthcare, Level I Trauma Center, military, Military Trauma Training Program, Scottsdale, Scottsdale Healthcare, Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn, trauma, Vicki Bennett