Saint Francis Hospital verified as a Level I Trauma Center
A traumatic injury is potentially one of the most life altering events a patient and their loved ones will experience. In those first few terrifying moments, life hangs in the balance and in the hands of first responders, EMS crews, nurses, physicians, and surgeons—those who understand that working alongside the best in the nation is imperative to achieving an optimal outcome for the patient and their family.
No team understands and achieves this on a daily basis like the team that makes up the trauma program at Saint Francis Hospital, a member of Trinity Health Of New England. Recently verified by the ACS as a Level I Trauma Center, Saint Francis displays superiority in each of the trauma subspecialties and across their entire spectrum of care in order to address the needs of all critically injured patients.
“Attaining Level I status is a true testament to the excellence of trauma care Saint Francis provides to our most critically injured patients each and every day,” said Dr. John Rodis, president of Saint Francis Hospital. “The achievement validates that the work done by all the departments involved in treating a trauma patient is of the highest in national standards.”
The trauma program team at Saint Francis succeeds by taking on a multi-dimensional approach, one that includes providing optimal patient care, carrying out innovative research, and taking a leadership role at the regional, national and global levels.
Excellence in care
The care of a patient suffering traumatic injuries involves a collaboration in its truest form. Saint Francis trauma patients are cared for by a multitude of team members, including nursing staff in the emergency department, many of whom have advanced certifications in trauma care, the expert surgical team, members of the intensive care unit, and rehabilitation providers, including physical, occupational and speech therapists.
“A trauma patient receives a full spectrum of care, which follows them from the time they enter our doors to the time they are fully recovered,” said Dr. Gary J. Kaml, Director of Trauma Services. “A key element to the continuum of care is the comprehensive surgical team. Saint Francis’ team of trauma surgeons are all board certified in surgical critical care and are on-site 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
Working in conjunction with the trauma surgeons is a team of surgical sub-specialists who are also on the hospital grounds every hour of the day providing specialty care to a range of trauma patients. The team of surgical sub-specialists, includes orthopedic surgeons who treat patients with fractures and dislocations, neurological surgeons who care for patients with brain or spinal cord injuries, as well as surgeons who specialize in urology, plastic and reconstructive surgery, in particular maxillofacial surgeons who are able to care for patients with traumatic injuries to the bones in the face and jaw.
“The comprehensive, world-class care provided to all Saint Francis patients is exemplified by the hospital’s trauma program,” said nurse Erin McLaughlin, trauma program manager. “The exceptional surgical care is supported by the plethora of non-surgical services critical to a successful outcome and best care of a trauma patient, from our team of anesthesiologists to the diagnostic radiologists as well as psychiatric care and a team of substance abuse and mental illness providers.”
The trauma patient’s care is rounded out by the team of rehabilitation physicians, whose advanced training in post-acute care and restoration allows them to guide patients into the next steps of care and ultimately transition back into normal life and to their previous level of functionality.
Leadership and injury prevention
Saint Francis’ trauma care extends beyond a patient’s time within the hospital and it begins long before a patient ever enters the hospital’s doors. From infancy to early childhood, into individual’s teen years, through their senior years, the hospital extends educational efforts and specific injury prevention to the community.
The trauma team at Saint Francis is also actively involved in the Stop the Bleed program, teaching members of the community to act immediately to help control injury related bleeding, similar to the way a bystander who is CPR trained is able to come to the aid of a heart attack victim, starting the first steps of care critical to survival.
“As much as we are experts in treating critically ill patients, we are always working to prevent avoidable injuries,” said Dr. David Shapiro, vice chair of the Department of Surgery. “Our injury prevention programs range from training parents how to properly install and utilize car seats for their infants, to a program called Let’s Not Meet By Accident, encouraging adolescents to make healthy choices in risky situations.”
Establishing the future of research
Saint Francis has long upheld their mission to move medicine forward, integrating the latest technology as well as the brightest minds as a means to be active contributors to the body of scientific knowledge that ultimately leads to the advancement of patient care. The trauma team has led the way in research on a variety of topics including the use of cannabis in post-operative and post-injury pain, ongoing support of critically ill patients, care of traumatic brain injuries, and the treatment of multi-system injuries.
Additionally, the ongoing Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) allows the Saint Francis trauma team to do quality work and research on the care provided to their patients. The hospital trauma program’s performance improvement efforts are a prime example of the constant strive to be better.
“Even when we have reached the top, providing the best care that exists, we recognize the need to continuously improve, which betters the team and betters the lives of our patients and our community,” Dr. Kaml explained. “The American College of Surgeons recognizes that there is no such thing as perfection, therefore they look to see if a hospital has the mechanisms in place to identify imperfection and consistently improve. The ability of a trauma program to recognize an opportunity for improvement and to make meaningful positive change is the hallmark of a successful trauma program, and one deserving of Level I status.”
