UW Health: Level One trauma centers and burn center reverified by prestigious groups

CONTACT: Toni Morrissey
(608) 263-3223
(608) 576-6456
tmorrissey@uwhealth.org

MADISON- Following a rigorous review process, University Hospital and American Family Children’s Hospital have been reverified as Level One trauma and burn centers for both adult and pediatric patients by the American College of Surgeons (ACS). The ACS process identifies hospitals that have the resources to deliver optimal trauma care with some of the best outcomes in the nation.

“Reverification of the Level One status shows our commitment to patient care and injury prevention in the region,” said Ron Sliwinski, University Hospital chief of hospital division and president. “Even though the ACS has identified our program as a top performer, our team continues to push for even better coordination and improvement of services for trauma patients and their families.”

“The ACS looks at the comprehensive care we give the patient from time of arrival to discharge,” said Kelly Jung, University Hospital adult trauma coordinator. “The two-day reverification process involves every department in the hospital plus emergency medical services and Med Flight.” Trauma centers must be verified every three years.

There are nearly 500 ACS requirements for Level One adult trauma verification alone including having a team of 20 medical and surgical trauma care specialists available 24 hours a day; specially-trained staff able to operate a wide array of highly-specialized diagnostic and treatment equipment; 24-hour comprehensive clinical lab services; designated operating room and staff availability 24 hours a day; and public education programs on injury prevention. Both University Hospital and American Family Children’s Hospital have full-time injury prevention coordinators.

Jung said the hospital had more than 3030 adult traumas in 2015. Most were the result of falls (43 percent) and motor vehicle crashes (27 percent). Last year, 807 pediatric traumas were reported. Falls made up the majority of pediatric traumas (34 percent) followed by motor vehicle crashes (26 percent) and burns (13 percent).

The University Hospital Burn Center also has been reverified by both ACS and the American Burn Association for the next three years.

“The University Hospital Burn Center is the only verified burn center in the state of Wisconsin and treats both adults and children,” said Dr. Lee Faucher, burn center director. “There are only 67 verified burn centers in the entire country so we are proud to be considered a center of excellence.”

Last year, the burn center treated 300 patients: 200 adults and 100 children.