Recently, Braxton County Memorial Hospital Emergency Department underwent process of trauma designation reverification, which resulted in the facility receiving an outstanding ZERO deficiencies. The reverification process, which is required to be completed every three years, included an on-site visit from representatives of the WV Office of Emergency Medical Services (WVOEMS). Braxton, like many rural hospitals, is designated as a Level IV trauma center. A Level IV center is a facility which provides advanced trauma life support prior to transfer in remote areas where no higher level of care is available.
The WV Bureau for Public Health through the WV Office of Emergency Medical Services designates WV health care facilities through criteria in WV Rule 64 CSR 27. WV Trauma Centers must demonstrate a strong 24-hour availability of resources to care for injured patients. At each reverification, all critical elements of the Trauma Program are reviewed. Criteria for designation as a WV trauma center are those standards outlined by American College of Surgeons, Committee on Trauma with specific modifications or additions as established by OEMS.
Six critical elements must be in place and functional at a facility in order to maintain designation.
The facility must utilize, at minimum, OEMS Priority 1 Trauma Team Activation Criteria; They must implement and maintain an active Trauma Performance Improvement Program: The facility must use the State Trauma Registry; The hospital must have a functioning, organized Trauma Program; That Trauma Program must include policies which assure patient-oriented utilization of resources; The general surgeons and emergency medicine physicians must complete ATLS credentialing.
A great amount of time and effort is put forth, not only at reverification time, but every day, to ensure that BCMH is meeting, or exceeding the requirements of the trauma designation.
CEO, Louis Roe commended the Braxton Emergency Team in saying “I am incredibly pleased that Braxton’s site visit resulted in ZERO deficiencies! This speaks volumes of our Emergency Department staff, physicians, and leaders. In addition to the constraints of the pandemic, the Braxton ED has been involved in an extensive renovation project, which has created some challenges for those working in the department. To be able to host a site visit resulting in ZERO deficiencies, particularly during a time of both adversity and renovation is astounding! The result of the recent visit speaks volumes about the dedication of our staff, and the great things Braxton County Memorial Hospital is doing for the community. Great Job everyone!”
