Wilkes-Barre General Hospital Reaccredited as Level II Trauma Center
10/4/2018
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (Oct. 5, 2018) – Commonwealth Health Wilkes-Barre General Hospital has been granted Level II Trauma Center reaccreditation, according to an announcement 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 reaccreditation means Wilkes-Barre General Hospital has shown it has the resources immediately available to continue 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 reaccreditation. He is pleased to be able to continue to offer this heightened level of care to the community.
"We are proud to have proven within the last year that we can offer care for the most seriously injured patients,” Catena said. “I am especially appreciative of the hard work, dedication and the teamwork that led us to the original accreditation. We have shown that we have assembled an outstanding team and are capable of continuing to provide high-quality, trauma care in the future.”
The trauma center reaccreditation coincides with this year’s opening of the hospital’s ICU tower, a project which encompassed an expansion of the hospital’s intensive care unit and the addition of a second helipad.
“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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