Miami Valley Hospital South in Centerville to become trauma center

Miami Valley Hospital South in Centerville has achieved provisional designation as a Level III Trauma Center from the Ohio Department of Public Safety, hospital officials said Monday.

While the majority of hospitals have emergency departments, trauma centers are staffed with doctors and nurses with the specific training to care for patients with traumatic injuries.

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“Consumers tell us over and over that, if they have a choice, they would much rather stay in their community and receive the care they need, if at all possible. This will provide them that access,” said Candy Skidmore, Premier Health vice president for service integration – emergency, trauma, and CareFlight.

The announcement by Miami Valley Hospital South follows a trauma survey conducted at the hospital in mid-July. The provisional designation means the state has authorized the hospital to operate as a provisional Level III trauma center until the hospital gets a second visit from the American College of Surgeons.

Level III trauma centers have rapid care for all forms of traumatic injury and 24-hour immediate coverage by trauma surgeons. Level 1 is the highest level of trauma center.

As of 2018, there were 20 Level III trauma centers in Ohio, 10 Level II centers and 12 Level 1 centers for adults. For pediatrics, there are three Level 1 and five Level II.

Other Level III trauma centers in the region include Atrium Medical Center, Grandview Medical Center, Soin Medical Center and Greene Memorial Hospital.

Trauma centers provide prompt availability of orthopedic surgeons as well as fully staffed operating rooms, have a comprehensive quality improvement program, have transfer agreements in place for patients needing more comprehensive care at a Level I trauma center, provide active outreach programs for referring communities, and have continuing education for nursing and allied health personnel and the trauma team.

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