Nationally recognized Smith Level I Shock Trauma Center has physicians, nurses, staff and systems in place to care for the most critically injured at any time

Indianapolis, July 8, 2019 – The Committee on Trauma of the American College of Surgeons has re-verified the Smith Level I Shock Trauma Center at Eskenazi Health at Level I, the highest level of trauma care available. This achievement recognizes the trauma center’s dedication to providing optimal care for injured patients.

The Smith Level I Shock Trauma Center is one of the busiest in the state, treating more than 3,000 patients each year. It became the first verified Level I trauma center in the state in 1992.

“At Eskenazi Health we see the most serious injuries and the team members in the Smith Level I Shock Trauma Center are well-prepared to care for these patients. Besides having the ability to treat those who are critically injured, our trauma staff also works to prevent these injuries with community education activities and programs specifically aimed at preventing and reducing chronic violence,” said Dr. Lisa Harris, CEO of Eskenazi Health.

Established by the American College of Surgeons in 1987, the Committee on Trauma’s Verification/Consultation 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 encompasses the pre-hospital phase through the rehabilitation process.

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. There are five separate categories of verification in the Committee on Trauma's program (Level I trauma center, Level II trauma center, Level III trauma center, Level I pediatric trauma center and Level II pediatric trauma center). Each category has specific criteria that must be met by a facility seeking that level of verification. Each hospital has an on-site review by a team of experienced site reviewers, who use the current “Resources for the Optimal Care of the Injured Patient” manual as a guideline in conducting the survey.

A Level I trauma center, such as the Smith Level I Shock Trauma Center, is a comprehensive regional resource that is central to the trauma system. Trauma centers verified at Level I are capable of providing total care for every aspect of injury, from prevention to rehabilitation. Key elements of a Level I trauma center include 24-hour in-house coverage by general surgeons and prompt availability of care in specialties such as orthopaedic surgery, neurosurgery, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, radiology, internal medicine and critical care.

Level I trauma centers are committed to injury prevention, public education and continuing education of the trauma team members as well as continued improvement through a comprehensive quality assessment program and an organized research effort to help direct new innovations in trauma care.

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CONTACT: Tom Surber
Phone: 317.880.4793
Cell: 317.402.9327
Pager: 317.310.5972
Email: thomas.surber@eskenazihealth.edu