American College of Surgeons Verify NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst as a Level I Trauma Center
Verification Recognizes the Hospital's Preparedness to Provide Optimal Trauma Care
Mar 28, 2018
NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst has been verified by the American College of Surgeons as a Level I Trauma Center. The three-year verification validates the availability of resources for trauma care at trauma centers, which provide care for patients suffering from traumatic injuries caused by motor vehicles crashes, pedestrian and cyclist incidents, falls, gunshot and stabbing wounds, assaults, sports injuries, and many other types of physical trauma. The verification process focuses on both personnel and facilities, and it requires ongoing self-assessment.
“I am very proud of our trauma program for receiving verification from the American College of Surgeons and commend our doctors and nurses for the life-saving care they provide to our patients each and every day,” said Israel Rocha, Jr., chief executive officer of NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst. “This recognition acknowledges our deep commitment to the community of Queens and New York City by ensuring a comprehensive team of physicians and surgeons are always waiting to serve you and your family. The Level I Trauma resource verification by the American College of Surgeons is one of the toughest certifications for a hospital to achieve, and we are pleased to have reached this milestone for our patients and community.”
“We are committed to providing the most comprehensive life-saving trauma care to the people of Queens,” said George Agriantonis, MD, trauma medical director of NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst. “By achieving verification by the American College of Surgeons, the hospital’s quality of care is recognized as meeting the rigorous standards of excellence achieved by the nation’s best trauma centers. This is not just a one-time accomplishment, but a commitment to continuous evaluation and improvement to our processes and outcomes.”
NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst’s trauma program met high standards and essential criteria to achieve verification and also received 18 acclamations for the level of care provided to patients. The American College of Surgeons recognized NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst for the following strengths:
- Strong surgical leadership and nursing education in trauma care;
- A team-based approach to providing care involving clinicians from several departments, including trauma surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedics, emergency medicine, anesthesia, radiology, and the Surgical Trauma Intensive Care Unit;
- A dedicated operating room available for emergent trauma patients year-round;
- Capability of providing immediate massive blood transfusion to critically injured patients;
- A 24/7 radiology service; and
- Community outreach and education through programs focused on pedestrian injury, falls prevention, and other common injuries seen at the hospital.
Established by the American College of Surgeons in 1987, the 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. Verified trauma centers must meet the essential criteria that ensure trauma care capability and institutional performance.
In addition to receiving verification from the American College of Surgeons, NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst’s trauma program is recognized as a Regional Trauma Center by New York State, a designation it has held since 1993.
For more information on programs and services at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, please call 718 334-4000.
Correction made April 3, 2018: Language in the release has been modified to reflect that this is the first verification by the American College of Surgeons, not a “renewal” as previously stated.