Henry Ford Allegiance Health Verified as Level II Trauma Center

Following a multi-year process, Henry Ford Allegiance Health joins the ranks of the 22 hospitals in Michigan verified as a Level II Trauma Center to provide comprehensive trauma care to severely injured patients, including those who have had major automobile accidents, sporting accidents, falls, head injuries and spinal injuries.

“While we have historically provided stabilization and initial care for patients with traumatic injuries, this verification will now allow the team to treat and admit the most severely injured patients, providing the highest level of care for the region we serve,” said Henry Ford Allegiance Health President and CEO Georgia Fojtasek.

Staying prepared

The American College of Surgeons, the organization that oversees Trauma Center verification nationally, has four Trauma Center designation levels. To be designated as a Level II Trauma Center, a hospital must demonstrate an organized and coordinated approach to treating serious injury across the continuum of care. Requirements include the around the clock availability of all necessary trauma personnel, equipment, supplies, education and guidelines for care, such as:

• Immediate 24-hour coverage trauma surgeons
• Coverage by specialists in
  • Orthopedic surgery
  • Neurosurgery
  • Anesthesiology
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Radiology
  • Critical Care
  • Cardiac Surgery
  • Thoracic Surgery
  • Vascular Surgery
  • Hand Surgery
  • Plastic Surgery
  • Oral Maxillofacial Surgery
  • Otolaryngology
  • Urology
  • Obstetric and Gynecological Surgery
• Incorporation of a comprehensive multidisciplinary trauma quality assessment and patient safety program
• Community outreach and injury prevention
• Continuing education programs for staff related to trauma

Although Henry Ford Allegiance Health has been recognized by independent organizations as one of the best hospitals in Michigan for emergency care, being officially verified assures the community, health care providers and regulatory bodies that the health system has met the rigorous requirements necessary to care for critically injured patients across the entire continuum of care.

“Now, very few patients will have to experience the 40-minute ambulance ride or helicopter transport ride to another facility. They will be cared for here in Jackson,” said Trauma Program Medical Director Lawrence Narkiewicz, MD. “For the most severely injured, eliminating that transport time can mean the difference between surviving or not.”

Keeping trauma care local

“Many people would be surprised to know that trauma is the leading cause of death for people age 44 and younger – more deaths than cancer and heart disease combined,” said Dr. Narkiewicz. “Henry Ford Allegiance will help reduce the tragic impact of severe injuries as a Level II Trauma Center.”

• The Henry Ford Allegiance Emergency Department had more than 85,750 patient visits in 2016, and of those individuals, nearly 15% were injured. This includes all types of trauma, from mild to severe.
• According to recent data from the Michigan State Police, in Jackson County alone, more than 5,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes in 2015, and an additional 1,000 individuals were injured due to other circumstances that year.

“Our goal is to offer our community improved access to trauma care and improve outcomes for serious injury,” Dr. Narkiewicz said.

Meeting high standards

Verified Trauma Centers must meet the essential criteria that ensure trauma care capability and institutional performance, as outlined by the American College of Surgeons' Committee on Trauma in its current Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient manual. To ensure strict adherence to standards, Henry Ford Allegiance Health will then be required to re-verify every three years. These standards emphasize quality, community education, injury prevention, response time and staffing.

“Meeting the rigorous verification quality standards is challenging,” said Dr. Narkiewicz. “However, when lives are at stake – nothing less than excellent quality is acceptable.”

About the American College of Surgeons

The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational association of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical education and practice and to improve the care of the surgical patient. The College has over 72,000 members and it is the largest association of surgeons in the world. Longstanding achievements have placed the ACS in the forefront of American surgery and have made it an important advocate for all surgical patients.

About Henry Ford Allegiance Health

Henry Ford Allegiance Health (HFAH) is a 475-bed health system in Jackson, Michigan. HFAH complements traditional acute care services with mission-based services to support the care continuum for all members of the community. Through its Health Improvement Organization (HIO), HFAH is also a national leader in forming community partnerships that innovatively address wellness and prevention needs in the community.

About Henry Ford Health System

Henry Ford Health System (Henry Ford Health) is a six hospital system headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. Henry Ford Health is one of the nation’s leading comprehensive, integrated health systems, recognized for clinical excellence and innovation. It provides health insurance and health care delivery, including acute, specialty, primary and preventive care services backed by excellence in research and education. Henry Ford Health is a 2011 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recipient.