A recent study at San Francisco General Hospital, a Level I trauma center, showed that a short social worker intervention can prevent functional decline in patients with mild traumatic brain injury. The 20-minute intervention includes education, coping strategies and an alcohol use screening. Full Story
Author: Trauma News
Mortality-based benchmarking methods do not identify trauma centers with high complication rates, according to a new paper in the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery. “Of the 31 high performers for mortality, only 11 centers were also high performers for morbidity.” Full Story
The recently created Arkansas Trauma Communication Center has streamlined the transfer process for injured patients, according to a study authored by the trauma registry manager at the Arkansas Health Department. Launched in 2011, the new communication system has reduced the period between “request for transfer” to “confirmed acceptance” from hours to approximately 10 minutes. Full…
Natividad Medical Center in Salinas, Calif., has targeted January 2015 to begin operations as a Level II trauma center. A recent news report details the program’s anticipated annual costs, hiring activity, executive compensation and revenue. Full Story
Banner Baywood Medical Center in Mesa, Ariz., was recently verified as a Level III trauma center by the ACS. The hospital is one of three Level III trauma facilities in the state. Read More
The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio has been designated as a Level III trauma center by the Texas Department of State Health Services. The hospital is one of only seven pediatric stand-alone facilities in the state that have a trauma designation. Read More
Omaha residents recently expressed their concerns about the planned move of trauma services from Creighton University Medical Center in northeast Omaha to Bergan Mercy Medical Center in the central part of the city. Full Story
The 5-month-old Geriatric Trauma Institute at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, a Level I trauma center in Johnstown, Pa., has reduced LOS for older trauma patients from nearly 6 days to about 4.2 days. Trauma program leaders say the institute will save $2 million per year. Full Story
University Medical Center in Lubbock, Tex., recently opened a special unit for older trauma patients, according to a KCBD report. The unit centralizes geriatric trauma patients in a dedicated floor to facilitate management of their unique trauma risks. Opened in March, the new unit is one of the first geriatric trauma units in the nation.…
Wraparound Project, a violence prevention program founded by trauma surgeon Rochelle Dicker, MD, was profiled in a recent KPIX report. Dicker founded the program in 2002 to address the risk factors that lead to repeat violence. The program focuses on young trauma patients who are victims of violent injury. Case managers leverage this critical moment…