Give to LGH

Press Release Archive (2013)

Archives By Year

Lowell General Hospital Verified as a Level III Trauma Center

American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma Completes Onsite Review and Confirms Enhanced Status

January 13, 2010 - Lowell, Mass. - Lowell General Hospital has been verified as a Level III Trauma Center by the Verification Review Committee of the Committee on Trauma of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). This achievement underscores the dedication of the hospital to ensure faster access to advanced care and immediate intervention for life-threatening events.

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.

"As the fourth largest city in the commonwealth, it is essential that the City of Lowell and its surrounding towns have immediate access to trauma care," says Amy Hoey, RN, BSN, MS, chief nursing officer and vice president of patient services at Lowell General Hospital. "Reducing time to treatment is critical in the case of trauma. Arriving sooner to a qualified center that has advanced care and proper intervention for such serious conditions can make a life-or-death difference."

To meet the requirements of the ACS for trauma certification, Lowell General Hospital put into place systems and structures to support the commitment, including resources necessary for trauma care, and also the entire spectrum of care to address the needs of all injured patients, from the pre-hospital phase through the rehabilitation process.

Over the past several years, preparations have included securing around the clock access to a team of surgeons, developing specialized trauma-related protocols, educating staff, and employing a trauma nurse coordinator dedicated to trauma initiatives. Additional support is provided by the hospital's designation as a Primary Stroke Service Hospital by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, life-saving AAA (abdominal Aortic Aneurism) protocols, and 24/7, in-house pediatric coverage in the Emergency Department.

Prior to its new ACS verification as a Level III Trauma Center, the hospital was a point of entry for trauma.

###

Level III Trauma Center

Photo Caption: Dr. Roy Shen, Trauma Medical Director; Tracie McPadden, RN, BSN, CEN, Clinical Manager, Emergency Department; Vanessa Barrett, RN, BSN, CEN, Trauma Coordinator; Nathan MacDonald, MD, FACEP, Chief of Emergency Medicine and Diane Regan, RN, BSN, CEN, Director of Emergency Services.

Golf Challenge 2013Mommy BlogCAREERSMagnet 2012