MUSC trauma center achieves highest national designation
March 10, 2015
American College of Surgeons verifies program for second time
CHARLESTON, SC – After another extensive review by the American College of Surgeons (ACS), the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) trauma program has been re-verified as a Level 1 Trauma Center. This verification is the highest level any trauma program in the country can achieve. In 2008, MUSC was the first hospital in South Carolina to achieve this rating.
The re-verification of MUSC’s trauma program validates continued commitment throughout the organization to provide optimal care. South Carolinians can continue to expect to receive the highest level of care at MUSC, with an immediately available, 24/7 team of experts to provide specialty care to critically injured trauma patients.
Studies have shown that patients treated at Level 1 trauma centers have significantly better outcomes than those with comparable injuries who are treated at non-trauma centers. Findings showed Level 1 trauma centers can lower the risk of death for severely injured patients by 25 percent.
“While many trauma centers focus on the inpatient aspects of trauma care, the trauma service at MUSC is focusing their efforts on improving patient outcomes after discharge,” said Bruce Crookes, M.D., associate professor and trauma medical director. “Our research is focusing increasingly on how best to return the patient to a normal life, physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually. By exploring new programs, like the Trauma Survivors Network, the trauma center at MUSC is focusing on the whole patient, not just their physical injuries.”
The ACS Level 1 verification differs from the status designated by the state of South Carolina. The actual establishment and designation of trauma centers is the function of local, regional, or state agencies. ACS verification provides confirmation that a hospital has demonstrated the ability to provide the highest quality trauma care. The process requires an on-site review by a team of ACS surgeons and a verification committee review. Only after meeting hundreds of demanding criteria is a hospital awarded this distinction. Once again, the ACS surveyors found no deficiencies in MUSC’s trauma program when they visited in November 2014.
MUSC’s trauma team is staffed around the clock, led by a trauma surgeon with board certification in both surgery and surgical critical care, and supported by a team of highly-trained personnel from the emergency room, operating room, intensive care, radiology, blood bank and respiratory therapy. Physicians from more than 10 specialties are all immediately available. MUSC treats approximately 2,700 trauma patients each year and participates in trauma-related research, community outreach and education, and injury prevention activities.
About MUSC
Founded in 1824 in Charleston, The Medical University of South Carolina is the oldest medical school in the South. Today, MUSC continues the tradition of excellence in education, research, and patient care. MUSC educates and trains more than 3,000 students and residents, and has nearly 13,000 employees, including approximately 1,500 faculty members. As the largest non-federal employer in Charleston, the university and its affiliates have collective annual budgets in excess of $1.7 billion. MUSC operates a 750-bed medical center, which includes a nationally recognized Children’s Hospital, the Ashley River Tower (cardiovascular, digestive disease, and surgical oncology), Hollings Cancer Center (one of 66 National Cancer Institute designated centers) Level I Trauma Center and Institute of Psychiatry. For more information on academic information or clinical services, visit www.musc.edu. For more information on hospital patient services, visit www.muschealth.com.
About ACS
The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational association of surgeons founded in 1913 to raise standards of surgical education and practice, and improve the care of surgical patients. It has more than 72,000 members and is the largest association of surgeons in the world. Longstanding achievements have placed the ACS in the forefront of American surgery and have made it an important advocate for all surgical patients. Established by the American College of Surgeons in 1987, the COT’s Consultation/Verification Program for Hospitals promotes the development of trauma centers in which participants provide not only the hospital resources necessary for trauma care, but also the entire spectrum of care to address the needs of all injured patients. For more information about ACS, visit http://www.facs.org/.
