USA Health University Hospital re-certified as Level I trauma center
University Hospital received a Level I trauma center certification from the Alabama Department of Public Health.
By Shelbey Ernest
sernest@health.southalabama.edu
Marking 14 consecutive years, USA Health University Hospital’s Fanny Meisler Trauma Center recently received the Level I trauma center certification from the Alabama Department of Public Health. University Hospital is the only certified Level I trauma center in the Gulf Coast region and one of four Level I trauma centers in Alabama.
“We are pleased that the Statewide Trauma and Health System Advisory Council has once again affirmed University Hospital’s Level I trauma designation,” said Shannon Scaturro, M.S.H.A., M.S.N., CRNA, FACHE, chief operating officer for USA Health. “As the region’s only Level I trauma center, University Hospital provides lifesaving access to teams of trauma specialists who are able to reduce the morbidity and mortality of traumatically injured patients.”
The ADPH certification came to fruition while developing the Alabama Trauma and Health System, a network of care designed to get seriously injured people to the right resources as quickly as possible without going through a lengthy transfer process.
The certification process involves meeting a number of requirements, including:
- Surgeons in-house 24/7 to triage patients
- Formal trauma program
- On-call teams dedicated to University Hospital
- 24/7 access to a multidisciplinary team
“This certification demonstrates University Hospital’s continued commitment to provide high-quality and optimal care for acutely injured patients within our community and region by providing services and care not available elsewhere in our area,” said Andrew Haiflich, M.B.A., M.S.N., RN, director of trauma services at University Hospital.
The division of trauma and acute care surgery has a core group of 10 trauma and burn surgeons in addition to 12 advanced practice practitioners and a multitude of nurses. In conjunction with the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine at the University of South Alabama, the division helps train future surgeons during residency and offers one fellowship opportunity.
University Hospital is an acute-care facility serving as the major referral center for south Alabama, southeast Mississippi and portions of northwest Florida. As a teaching and research facility for the Whiddon College of Medicine, University Hospital plays a key role in the development of new technology, treatments and training of future healthcare professionals. The hospital also includes outpatient care services such as cardiology, medicine and surgery.
