Wilkes-Barre General Hospital Accredited as Level II Trauma Center
8/10/2017
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (July 31, 2017) – Commonwealth Health Wilkes-Barre General Hospital has been granted Level II Trauma Center Accreditation, beginning Sept. 1, according to an announcement made Monday by the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation.
The Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation, a non-profit corporation recognized by the Emergency Medical Services Act, is the organization responsible for accrediting trauma centers in the Commonwealth.
Attaining this accreditation means Wilkes-Barre General Hospital has shown it has the resources immediately available to provide optimal care and reduce the likelihood of death or disability to injured patients. Accredited trauma centers must be continuously prepared to treat the most serious life-threatening and disabling injuries.
There are four levels of trauma centers in Pennsylvania with Level 1 providing the highest degree of resources with a full spectrum of specialists, along with trauma research and surgical residency programs. Level II trauma centers require the same high level of care but do not require research and residency programs.
Cor Catena, CEO of Commonwealth Health and Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, credits the hard work of the hospital trauma team in achieving this accreditation. He is pleased to be able to offer this heightened level of care to the community.
“We are proud that we have proven we can offer care for the most seriously injured patients,” Catena said. “I am especially proud of how our team came together in the last year and a half to develop such an outstanding program.”
The trauma center accreditation coincides with the construction of the hospital’s ICU tower which is scheduled to be completed next year. The tower is a vertical expansion atop the existing emergency department and Heart & Vascular Institute and will expand the hospital’s intensive care unit. A helipad will be situated atop the tower.
“Wilkes-Barre General Hospital and the trauma program believe in the value of the people of our community and are dedicated to providing the highest quality care to our patients,” Cheryl MacDonald-Sweet, director of trauma services, said. “Our mission is to provide the highest quality care for all injured and critically ill patients, to lead the public in prevention measures and to provide education and dedicated service to the people of the community.”
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