Scott & White trauma center verified again
- American College of Surgeons renews elite recognition -

TEMPLE, Texas - Scott & White Hospital has been reverified as a Level I trauma center by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACSCOT).

“Verification as a Level I trauma center is important because it means saving lives,” said Dr. Michael Craun, trauma medical director at Scott & White. “It shows we meet the highest national standards and can provide a ready team of specialists to respond to the most critical situations.”

The ACS Committee on Trauma’s verification program does not designate trauma centers. Rather, the program provides a confirmation that a trauma center has demonstrated its commitment to providing the highest quality trauma care for all injured patients. In Texas the actual establishment and designation of trauma centers is the function of the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Scott & White was first verified as a Level I trauma center in 2003.

“The successful Level I reverification site visit is a statement of our commitment to the citizens of Central Texas that we will continue to provide personalized, comprehensive, and the highest quality health care in their time of need,” said Scott & White Trauma Program Nursing Director Terry Valentino. “This verification represents a standard of excellence provided by all our hospital staff that we have worked for and continued to maintain on a daily basis.”

Scott & White provides community outreach and education for injury prevention activities with two full time injury prevention coordinators. Scott & White also serves as the local lead member for the Safe Kids program, a coalition of area health care providers. Safe Kids Mid-Texas is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations whose mission is to prevent accidental childhood injury, a leading killer of children 14 and under.

Scott & White is one of just 12 Level I trauma centers currently verified and designated in the State of Texas. The Scott & White emergency room records more than 77,000 patient visits annually. Approximately 20,000 of those patients come to the Emergency Department for treatment as a result of a traumatic injury.

For more information, contact:

Scott Clark

Media and Public Relations

254-724-9724 or 254-724-3047

Pager: 254-762-1406

sdclark@swmail.sw.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 6, 2009