St. Louis Children’s Hospital has maintained its position in an elite group of pediatric hospitals as a verified Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons (ACS). St. Louis Children’s is the only pediatric hospital to receive this designation in Missouri and Illinois.
“Receiving ACS trauma reverification means that St. Louis Children’s Hospital not only continues to meet the highest standards set for a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center, but that we also maintain the highest level of preparation to care for injured children,” says Martin Keller, MD, Washington University pediatric surgeon and medical director of trauma services at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. “Achieving this designation is a testament to the dedication that our emergency services staff, physicians and administration have to delivering the best-possible emergency and trauma care for our kids.”
The ACS, which works to improve the care of injured and critically ill patients before, en route, and during hospitalization, renews this designation to qualified trauma centers every three years. A team of trauma experts completes an on-site review of the hospital to assess relevant features of the program, including commitment, readiness, resources, policies, patient care and performance improvement.
“Our goal is to continuously pursue excellence in all aspects of pediatric trauma care,” says Lindsay Clukies, MD, Washington University emergency medicine physician and associate medical director for trauma services at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. “Parents have a choice of where they take their children, and we hope they will recognize the importance of choosing a hospital that offers comprehensive services specific to children,” Dr. Clukies adds. “We rely heavily on our EMS colleagues and the vital role they perform at the scene, which then allows us to do our part to achieve the best outcome possible for that child.”
The publication from the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma, Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient, has been used as a guide for the development of trauma systems in the United States. The State of Missouri has utilized this guide in establishing the Trauma Center regulations (19 CSR 30.40.410-440). For designation as a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center, pediatric surgeons, emergency medicine physicians and trauma program managers from various regions of the country provide a rigorous on-site review in order to ensure compliance with these regulations. St. Louis Children’s Hospital has been a designated Pediatric Level 1 Trauma Center since 1981 in the state of Missouri and since 2011 in the state of Illinois.
For more information about ACS verification or to speak with a member of the emergency and trauma team, call Children’s Direct at 800.678.HELP (4357).
