Kettering Medical launches trauma center

KETTERING — Kettering Medical Center launched its Level II trauma program at 8 a.m. Tuesday, a spokeswoman confirmed Tuesday.

The region has not had an adult Level II trauma center since Good Samaritan Hospital’s closed in 2006.

Miami Valley Hospital, a KMC competitor, has the region’s only Level I trauma center, which saw 3,427 trauma cases in 2010 — far more than the 1,200 it needs to maintain its Level I status. However, MVH has said that the opening of KMC’s Level II trauma center could contribute to a physician shortage in subspecialties that are important to trauma centers.

Atrium Medical Center and Greene Memorial Hospital have Level III trauma centers, while the Children’s Medical Center of Dayton has a pediatric Level II trauma center.

Level I is the highest level of trauma center and serves as a regional resource center. Level II trauma centers also have a full range of surgical and medical specialists with resources available around-the-clock, but do not have to meet volume requirements or a research obligation.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7457 or bsutherly@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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