The Baylor Scott & White Medical Center — Grapevine began pursuing Texas level II Major Trauma Center designation in November 2015, and after 2 years, the hospital’s efforts have come to fruition.
The hospital has not only earned this Level II designation but received a verification by the American College of Surgeons. BS&W — Grapevine is one of only 19 Level II Major Trauma Centers in Texas, and is the only Level II Major Trauma Center in Northeast Tarrant County.
“We started this journey in response to the wishes of the many municipalities served by this hospital,” said Steve Newton, president, Baylor Scott & White – Grapevine, in a news release.
“In trauma care, time is critical, and having the availability of a Level II trauma center in this community allows for immediate care,” Newton said. “Now patients and their families can get comprehensive care right here in our community for everything from minor injuries to the most critical, life-threatening injuries.”
Previously, ambulances had to drive an average of 30 minutes to reach a Level II Major Trauma Center in Tarrant or Dallas counties, but now they can take those patients to BS&W Grapevine.
The highest designation possible is Texas Level I Major Trauma Center, of which there are 18 in Texas and one within the Baylor hospital umbrella — Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas. For a list of all Texas Trauma Facilities, as designated by the Texas Department of State Health Services, please visit https://www.dshs.texas.gov/emstraumasystems/etrahosp.shtm##I.
To be a Level II designated facility, as BS&W — Grapevine now is — means they the facility is “able to initiate definitive care for all injured patients,” according to the American Trauma Society.
Additionally, according to the ATS, elements of Level II Trauma Centers Include:
—24-hour immediate coverage by general surgeons, as well as coverage by the specialties of orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, radiology and critical care.
—Tertiary care needs such as cardiac surgery, hemodialysis and microvascular surgery may be referred to a Level I Trauma Center.
—Provides trauma prevention and continuing education programs for staff.
—Incorporates a comprehensive quality assessment program.
“A trauma team provides a multi-disciplinary response to address every angle of care for the injured patient,” said Danielle Sherar, trauma program manager, Baylor Scott & White – Grapevine, in the release. “The trauma rooms within the emergency department are set up with the necessary equipment to provide time-sensitive care.”
“On average 15 different pre-hospital municipalities come through this facility every day,” Sherar said. “Our facility offers services to Tarrant, Denton, Wise, and Dallas counties. When we started this designation journey, they were with us every step of the way.”