Memorial Hospital North receives Level III trauma designation

Designation brings advanced, emergency care “close to home” for patients in northern Colorado Springs
Oct. 14, 2015

UCHealth’s Memorial Hospital North is now a Level III trauma center, a status designated by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment that enables the hospital to accept trauma patients from emergency medical service (EMS) crews and provide life-saving care for residents of northern El Paso County.

The health department awarded this designation after a thorough inspection by state officials and other medical personnel, allowing the hospital to begin accepting trauma patients at midnight on Wednesday, Oct. 7.

“Memorial Hospital North is pleased to provide this service and resource to patients in the community,” said George Hayes, president and CEO of Memorial. “This trauma designation is just one of many enhancements to health care services at Memorial Hospital North. We recently opened a cardiac catheterization lab and will soon open a radiation oncology facility at our north campus, ensuring that patients in this area have access to the very best care.”

According to Carolle Anne Banville, trauma services director for Memorial, key elements of a Level III trauma center include 24-hour immediate coverage by emergency medicine physicians and the prompt availability of general surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, anesthesiologists and a heart catheterization lab.

“A Level III trauma center demonstrates the ability to provide prompt assessment, resuscitation, stabilization of injured patients and high-quality emergency operations,” Banville said. “This trauma center represents our commitment to patients and to providing advanced care, close to home.”

The hospital began working toward the designation more than 18 months ago and has added providers, emergency services and provided additional training for staff to meet and exceed the Level III trauma center requirements.

“I am proud of Memorial’s excellent nurses, emergency physicians, trauma surgeons and staff because it has taken a true team effort to reach this point,” said Dr. Patrick O. Faricy, chief medical officer at Memorial. “Of course, we’re not providing these services just to be named a Level III trauma center. We’re providing these services because we know they will save lives in the communities we serve.”

Memorial Hospital Central is currently a Level II trauma center; three hospitals in Colorado – all in metro Denver – have adult Level 1 trauma capabilities.

About the author

Erin Emery is editor of UCHealth Today, a hub for medical news, inspiring patient stories and tips for healthy living. Erin spent years as a reporter for The Denver Post, Colorado Springs Gazette and Colorado Springs Sun. She was part of a team of Denver Post reporters who won the 2000 Pulitzer Prize for breaking news reporting.

Erin joined UCHealth in 2008, and she is awed by the strength of patients and their stories.