The American College of Surgeons (ACS) has again re-verified Stamford Hospital as a Level II Trauma Center for three more years. As a result of the ACS re-verification, Stamford Hospital has also been re-designated a Level II Trauma Center by the State of Connecticut. Stamford is only one of nine hospitals in Connecticut with this special designation.
“We are thrilled to receive the re-designation as a Level II Trauma Center, as the status recognizes Stamford Hospital’s commitment to prompt and effective treatment for all trauma patients,” said Kevin Dwyer, M.D., Stamford Hospital’s director of trauma services and surgical critical care. “We are prepared to take care of all trauma patients and the Hospital continues to develop and improve quality initiatives, improve and create new policies and procedures and provide the latest trauma education to the staff on a continuing basis.” Stamford Hospital has been designated a Level II Trauma Center since 1993.
As a Level II Trauma Center, Stamford Hospital provides 24-hour immediate coverage by highly trained trauma surgeons and physicians specializing in emergency medicine, anesthesiology, neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, radiology and critical care, and trauma-trained nurses. In addition, a Level II Trauma Center is committed to trauma prevention, continuing education of the trauma team members and to continued improvement in trauma care through a comprehensive quality assessment/performance improvement program.
In fiscal year 2012, Stamford Hospital’s Emergency Department provided care to 50,800 patients. Of those patients, more than 9,000 were treated for some type of traumatic event, ranging from a sprained ankle to a critically injured patient from a motor vehicle accident. Over 1,000 patients are seen by the Trauma Service team, with 75% of these patients being admitted to the hospital.
The re-verification process occurs every three years to ensure optimal care is given to trauma patients. The process includes an extensive review of the hospital’s physical plant, equipment, personnel qualifications, and performance improvement process during a two-day site visit by two ACS surgeons. Carla Rennie, RN, MSN, manager of trauma and surgical services, coordinated Stamford’s successful site visit.
About Stamford Hospital
Stamford Hospital is a not-for-profit provider of comprehensive healthcare services in lower Fairfield County. The mission of Stamford Hospital is to provide, together with its physicians, a broad range of high quality health and wellness services focused on the needs of our communities. Stamford Hospital is affiliated with the New York Presbyterian Healthcare System and is a major teaching affiliate of the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. In addition, Stamford Hospital has been formally designated as a “Planetree Designated® Patient-Centered Hospital.”