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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndiana University Arnett Hospital's trauma center has been verified a Level III from the American College of Surgeons. The Lafayette facility is the only hospital in Indiana with the distinction. Program Manager Amanda Rardon says a requirement of being a level III center is getting a surgeon to the bedside of severely injured patients within 30 minutes. Three IU Health hospitals are currently working toward certification. July 3, 2014
News Release
LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The trauma center at Indiana University Health Arnett Hospital has been verified as a Level III Trauma Center by the Verification Review Committee (VRC), an ad hoc committee of the Committee on Trauma (COT) of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). This achievement recognizes the trauma center's dedication to providing optimal care for injured patients.
Established by the American College of Surgeons in 1987, the COT's Consultation/Verification Program for Hospitals promotes the development of trauma centers in which participants provide not only the hospital resources necessary for trauma care, but also the entire spectrum of care to address the needs of all injured patients. This spectrum encompasses the prehospital phase through the rehabilitation process.
Dr. Marc Estes, Medical Director of Emergency Medicine at IU Health Arnett Hospital, said this is a big step for the hospital.
“It is an exciting step for IU Health Arnett and our community to be the first hospital in the state to hold the Level III title,” Dr. Estes said. “Our team of highly skilled physicians has worked hard toward achieving this certification and we are proud to be able to offer this resource to our community.”
IU Health Arnett Trauma Program Manager, Amanda Rardon, RN, BS said one benefit of becoming a Level III Trauma Center is surgeon presence at the bedside within 30 minutes for the most severely injured patients.
“Becoming a trauma center means that our facility has the ability to stabilize and provide initial treatment to any patient with a traumatic injury,” Rardon said. “As a trauma center, we evaluate the care of the patient from the time EMS is dispatched all the way through rehabilitation.”
In 2013, Indiana University Health reported that its hospitals would be taking deliberate steps to provide organized system-wide trauma care closer to people in the mid-portion of the state between Indianapolis and the four corners. IU Health Arnett Hospital’s recent designation plays a key role in that service.
Medical Director of Trauma Services for IU Health Arnett Hospital Ruban Nirmalan, MD, said having a trauma center in Lafayette is of upmost importance to the community and neighbors in the surrounding communities IU Health Arnett serves.
“Being largely rural, the next closest trauma center is located in Indianapolis or Chicago,” Dr. Nirmalan said. “Without a local trauma center, we risk losing the 'golden hour' to save someone's life when injured.”
In addition, IU Health Arnett offers patients direct access to IU Health Methodist Trauma Center via IU Health LifeLine when a higher level of care is needed. The unique partnership with IU Health LifeLine, Indiana's most skilled critical care transport team, provides patients with access to Indiana’s most experienced air medical provider. The crews of IU Health LifeLine are equipped with the most advanced technologies in the state, providing the highest level of trauma care and the ability to fly when others cannot.
The Center for Disease Control reports that injuries are the leading cause of death for children and adults ages 1 – 44. All levels of trauma centers (Level I to Level IV) and hospitals are critical components of trauma systems. Trauma systems help to ensure that the millions of people injured each year get the right care, at the right place, at the right time. The right care can help people continue to live to their full potential, despite having experienced a severe injury.
Indiana University Health Arnett is a comprehensive healthcare system, which operates a191-bed full-service acute care hospital and more than 20 outpatient medical offices. IU Health Arnett has more than 300 employed physicians and healthcare providers with an unwavering commitment to better healthcare for the people of west central Indiana. To learn more about IU Health Arnett, visit iuhealth.org/Arnett or call toll-free at 800.899.8448.
As the only nationally recognized healthcare system in Indiana, Indiana University Health is dedicated to providing a unified standard of preeminent care. A unique partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine – one of the nation's leading medical schools – and the depth of experience from the most complete network of highly skilled specialty and primary care physicians, gives IU Health unparalleled strength in delivering assurance to patients. Discover the strength at iuhealth.org.
Source: Indiana University Arnett