States are taking different approaches to the role of trauma centers in Ebola response planning. The University of California announced Friday that all five of its Level I trauma centers are prepared to receive patients with Ebola infections. Meanwhile, Minnesota healthcare leaders have specifically excluded Level I trauma centers from the state’s Ebola plan.
Lawrence Massa, chief executive of the Minnesota Hospital Association, announced that four hospitals in the state have been designated to care for patients with the virus, according to a Minnesota Public Radio report. The group does not include three prominent trauma centers. “Massa said Hennepin County Medical Center, Regions Hospital and North Memorial Medical Center are Level 1 trauma centers and they need to be freed up to focus on providing that care,” according to the report. Read More
Ron Chapman, MD, director of the California Department of Public Health commended the University of California for its leadership in responding to Ebola, according to a San Francisco Business Times report. Dr. Chapman announced that UC Level I trauma centers in San Francisco, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles and San Diego are prepared to treat patients with Ebola infections. Read More