Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital proudly announced today the hospital has received a Level IV Trauma Center designation awarded by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. An initiative several years in the making became official last week after a DHHS committee reviewed metrics, protocols and standards of care submitted by the hospital demonstrating their preparedness and ability to care for traumatically injured patients.
“I am thrilled to announce this milestone achievement of our Level IV Trauma Center designation as it reflects our unwavering dedication to ensuring the highest standards of emergency care for our community,” said Kelly Tomaszewski, Manistee Hospital Community President.
Most Level IV trauma centers are in rural areas, supplementing care within a larger trauma system. Level IV facilities provide initial evaluation, assessment and stabilization of trauma patients and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Patients with significant trauma or those needing treatments or procedures not offered at Manistee Hospital could be transferred to Cadillac Hospital, Munson Medical Center in Traverse City or to downstate trauma centers, as necessary. Patient transfers to other facilities may also occur when Manistee Hospital is full, and no PCU (Progressive Care Unit) beds are available. To facilitate transfers as efficiently as possible, Emergency Department teams access Munson Healthcare’s Transfer Center - a central hub with insight into bed availability at each Munson Healthcare hospital and contacts with other hospitals and trauma centers to make the necessary arrangements with local EMS agencies for ambulance transport.
Level IV Trauma designation involves rigorous standards, comprehensive training, and the implementation of state-of-the-art protocols to ensure emergency departments are well-equipped to handle a wide range of traumatic injuries. It is a collaboration among EMS providers, the emergency department, surgical services, inpatient teams, as well as the facilitation of transfers to a higher level of care for those patients experiencing significant trauma. The designation period is for three years, after which the hospital will undergo a re-designation evaluation and certification process.
“This designation highlights our ability to respond quickly and effectively to trauma cases in our community, providing critical care that can make a significant difference in patient outcomes,” said Deb Bowman, Nurse Manager for the Emergency Department at Manistee Hospital. “Our ED staff worked closely with multidisciplinary teams from across the hospital to put into place the stringent criteria necessary to meet the requirements of the trauma designation.”
The designation not only recognizes Manistee Hospital’s current capabilities but is also a commitment to continuous improvement, ongoing training and the investment in resources to enhance the facility’s ability to meet the needs of the community.
Other Munson Healthcare facilities with trauma designation include Cadillac, Charlevoix, Grayling Otsego Memorial and Paul Oliver Memorial hospitals (Level IV’s) and Munson Medical Center (Level II).