Less than one month after beginning to offer full-time trauma coverage, The Nebraska Medical Center has earned comprehensive level status with the State of Nebraska.
State inspectors visited the medical center in July, just before it began offering 24/7 trauma care. Among the medical center’s strengths cited in the report: the development of a full-time pediatric trauma program, close working relationships with local rehabilitation facilities and regional education and outreach programs.
“This certification from the state truly validates the work we’ve been doing in recent years to become the region’s premier comprehensive trauma center,” said Paul Schenarts, M.D., UNMC professor of surgery and trauma medical director at The Nebraska Medical Center. “The expertise and experience of our fellowship-trained surgeons, subspecialist physicians, nursing care and other health care support from hundreds of our other team members is unparalleled in this region.”
In years past, The Nebraska Medical Center shared its Comprehensive Level status with the Omaha Trauma System, which was made up of The Nebraska Medical Center and Creighton University Medical Center (now part of Denver-based CHI Health). Until August 1, each hospital had a set schedule of days when it was the city’s designated trauma center. Since August, each hospital has offered its own independent trauma service.
“We have seen a real increase in the number of trauma patients in the six weeks since we began offering 24/7 care,” said Rosanna Morris, chief operating officer and chief nursing officer of The Nebraska Medical Center. “Fortunately, we were prepared for the increase and welcome these new patients. We truly see it as a reflection of the public’s trust in the extraordinary care our staff provides.”
The Nebraska Medical Center will next seek certification from the American College of Surgeons (ACS), which is only available to hospitals offering full-time trauma care. Medical center leaders plan to begin the application process for ACS certification later this year. The ACS review and inspection process typically takes about one year to complete.