NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County Again Recognized as a Level 1 Trauma Center from the American College of Surgeons
Aug 24, 2022
The trauma center at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County has been recognized again as a Level 1 Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons’ Committee on Trauma’s Verification Review Committee. This achievement underscores the trauma center’s dedication to providing optimal care for injured patients. Established by the American College of Surgeons in 1987, the Consultation/Verification Program for Hospitals promotes the development of trauma centers that 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, from before the patient enters the hospital through rehabilitation.
“Our public hospital system is a model for the rest of the nation when it comes to giving top-tier care to New Yorkers who need it most,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “Today’s designation by the American College of Surgeons shows how Kings County Hospital continues to set the bar when it comes to trauma care, and I want to thank the dedicated health care professionals and NYC Health + Hospitals staff for their good work.”
“I am pleased to share that the American College of Surgeons has once again designated our facility as a Level 1 Trauma Center. This exemplifies the fantastic work done by our team daily to ensure our critically injured patients receive the care they deserve. On behalf of our entire NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County team, we will continue to provide the highest quality of care to the community we serve,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County Chief Executive Officer Sheldon McLeod.
“It is great to see the hard work and effort of so many at Kings County come together to realize our re-verification as a Level One Trauma center,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County Chief of Surgery Dr. Melvin Stone. “Anyone working in trauma knows it’s not just the great effort and skill of doctors and nurses but so many other people are required to contribute their best to taking care of the injured—a true team effort. I am very delighted and look forward to Kings County continuing its mission to provide high quality care to the injured patients in the Brooklyn community.”
“Being verified as a level I trauma center with no deficiencies reflects our staff’s commitment and hard work. We are gratified that the American College of Surgeons recognized our efforts,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County Trauma Program Manager Fred Harry.
The American College of Surgeons’ verification program does notdesignate trauma centers. Rather, the program provides confirmation that a trauma center has demonstrated its commitment to providing the highest quality trauma care for all injured patients. The actual establishment and the designationof trauma centers is the function of local, regional, or state health care systems agencies, such as the local emergency medical services (EMS) authority.
“Verification of NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County by ACS as a level 1 trauma center reflects the ongoing efforts and hard work of all clinical, non-clinical and administrative staff,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County Trauma Medical Director Dr. Valery Roudnitsky. “We are proud of providing high standard care to our trauma patients since the 18th century when Kings County Hospital became the first Trauma center in NY – County of Kings.”
The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational association of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical education and practice and to improve the care of the surgical patient. The College has over 72,000 members, and it is the largest association of surgeons in the world. Longstanding achievements have placed the American College of Surgeons in the forefront of American surgery and have made it an important advocate for all surgical patients.
About NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County
NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County is a 639-bed acute care teaching hospital located in Central Brooklyn. Among our highly specialized programs are a Level I Trauma Center, Pediatric Emergency Room, Level 3 Perinatal Center, Heart Health Center, Stroke Center, Sickle Cell Program, Behavioral Health Center, and Diabetes Education Center of Excellence. Many of our programs have received national recognition, including our cardiac, stroke and diabetes services. The hospital offers a broad array of primary and specialty care, including practices in neuroscience, orthopedics, urology and cardiology. Annually, our ambulatory care practices see well over 500,000 visits, and more than 150,000 visits in the Behavioral Health outpatient program, in addition to close to 23,000 inpatient discharges. NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County has played a major role in providing health care to vulnerable populations in Brooklyn since 1831, and is part of NYC Health + Hospitals, the largest public health care system in the nation. For more information visit, nychealthandhospitals.org/kingscounty and stay connected on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/KingsCountyHosp or Twitter at @KingsCountyHosp.
About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlus health plan—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 43,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NYCHealthandHospitals or Twitter at @NYCHealthSystem.