MRMC Designated as a Level Three Trauma Center
February 9, 2010MRMC Designated as a Level Three Trauma Center
The Oklahoma State Health Department has recently upgraded Muskogee Regional Medical Center to a Level Three Trauma Center. A trauma center is a hospital equipped to provide comprehensive emergency medical services to patients suffering traumatic injuries. A Level Three rating means MRMC emergency physicians and nurses are specifically trained in the care of trauma injuries. In addition, MRMC was upgraded to a Level Two in cardiology care, providing 24-hour cardiology coverage, specialized services and equipment needed to diagnose and treat heart patients.
Requirements for a Level Three Trauma Center rating include having 24 hour availability of medical specialties such as surgery, cardiology and orthopedics. The criteria also outlines specific equipment, staffing, and ancillary disciplines that must be available in the emergency department, surgery suite, recovery room and intensive care unit in order to care for severely injured patients.
Currently, Muskogee Regional operates the largest Emergency Department in the region, treating on average over 30,000 patients per year. Although MRMC has always provided the level of coordinated care required to be a trauma center, the official Level Three trauma designation now allows mid-level trauma patients to stay at MRMC for care so they can remain close to home. The designation tells patients that we adhere to a higher level of care.
The community benefits from having a local hospital designated as a Level Three Trauma Center. Not only does it impact where people can receive healthcare services in trauma situations, it keeps local EMS units from having to leave the community to transport trauma patients, which could potentially stress resources and jeopardize the safety of the community.
MRMC is committed to serving the healthcare needs of the community, and pursuing the status of trauma verification further fulfills that commitment.