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Redwood Area Hospital
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FROM: Shelly Pauling,
Education & Communications Manager
RE: Redwood Area Hospital now designated as level 4 trauma
hospital
DATE: July 10, 2009
The Minnesota Department of Health recently designated Redwood
Area Hospital as a level 4 trauma hospital. Redwood Area
Hospital and staff voluntarily participated in the intense
designation process to become part of Minnesota's statewide
trauma system. The process included an outside review of the
hospital's resources and capabilities to care for trauma
patients. Redwood Area Hospital met standards of commitment,
clinical and equipment resources and staff training. The
hospital also participates in a continuous performance
improvement process.
“I am very pleased with receiving a Trauma Designation for our
hospital. The Emergency Room staff takes great pride in the care
they provide to patients and this designation furthers that goal
of providing coordinated trauma care for patients to reduce
injury and enhance survival,” states Dawn Allen, Chief Clinical
Officer.
For a severely injured person, the time between sustaining an
injury and receiving definitive care is the most important
predictor of survival the "golden hour." The chance of survival
diminishes with time; however, a trauma system enhances the
chance of survival regardless of proximity to an urban trauma
hospital.
"Trauma is the third leading cause of death in Minnesota," said
Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dr. Sanne Magnan. "The goal of
the trauma system is to decrease injured patients' time to care
by making sure their medical needs are appropriately matched
with hospital resources. With the designation of Redwood Area
Hospital as a level 4 trauma hospital, we are getting closer to
our goal of ensuring that seriously injured Minnesotans have
access to an organized system of trauma care wherever they are
in the state."
On average, trauma claims the lives of 2,400 Minnesotans
annually. States with trauma systems have seen survival rates
increase by 15 to 20 percent. Wide-scale participation in the
voluntary trauma system ensures that a statewide, cooperative
effort is in place to care for seriously injured patients.
Minnesota began developing a comprehensive statewide trauma
system in August of 2005. Through its designation Redwood Area
Hospital recognizes the vital role that communities, ambulance
services, hospitals and health care professionals play in the
care and management of trauma patients.
For more information, see the Minnesota Statewide Trauma System
site at
http://www.health. state.mn.us/traumasystem/. |
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