Muncie Hospital Earns Verification
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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 Health Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie has been verified as a Level III Trauma Center. Medical Director Mark Saleem says the distinction means the community has immediate access to a higher level of care for traumatic injuries. July 22, 2014
News Release
Muncie, Ind. — The Trauma Center at Indiana University Health Ball Memorial 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. Mark Saleem , Medical Director of the Trauma Program at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, said several physicians, nurses and clinicians contributed to this effort.
“Numerous team members throughout the hospital have worked diligently to reach this goal,” Dr. Saleem said. “It means our community as well as surrounding communities have immediate access to a higher level of care in the event of a traumatic injury.”
IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Trauma Program Manager Rebekah Dillon said becoming a Level III Trauma Center verifies that several standards of care are now in place.
“As a Level III Trauma Center, we have a high level of coordination between departments now in place to benefit the patient,” she said. “Our hospital has the personnel and policies in place to stabilize and provide primary treatment to any injured patient.”
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 Ball Hospital's recent designation plays a key role in that service.
In addition, IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital offers patients direct access to IU Health Methodist Trauma Center and IU Health Riley Pediatric 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.
Source: IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital