Gaylord, Mich. — Otsego Memorial Hospital (OMH) received designation by the State of Michigan as a Level IV Trauma Center on December 6th, 2017, a significant achievement for a healthcare facility in Michigan. OMH was the first hospital in Region 7 (Otsego, Emmett, Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Charlevoix, Antrim, Montmorency, Alpena, Leelanau, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Crawford, Manistee, Wexford, Missaukee, and Roscommon counties) to achieve the State of Michigan trauma designation. The region’s only other designated trauma center is Munson Medical Center, verified as an American College of Surgeons (ACS) Level II Trauma Center.
“We are very proud of the hard work and determination of all those who contributed to this achievement. Level IV Trauma designation and participation in the regionalization of Trauma Care will allow us to continue providing optimal care and increases the chance of survival for victims of serious trauma,” said Diane Fisher, VP of Patient Care Services at OMH.
In 2014, the State of Michigan mandated a statewide trauma system which required all hospitals in Michigan to apply and receive American College of Surgeons designation or certification from the State of Michigan by December 31st, 2017. The ACS recognizes Levels I, II, and III for trauma facilities, which the state also recognizes, along with its own designation of Levels III and IV centers. The State provided guidelines, based on ACS criteria, for healthcare facilities to achieve certification as a trauma facility.
“Standardizing care and training across the region and state assures that optimal outcomes based on current best practices are available to every patient, and that patients who need specialized care get to the right place at the right time,” said James Shurlow, DO, OMH Trauma Medical Director.
To become verified by the state as a Level IV Trauma Center, OMH created and enacted policies that were consistent with current standards in trauma care and staff education. This included entering data into a state trauma registry, developing an injury prevention program based on the data, and maintaining a rigorous performance improvement program. OMH submitted the application, outlining all of the policies and procedures in place, in June of 2017. A site visit was conducted by a Level I Trauma Center surgeon and nurse in August of 2017.
“This verification is the culmination of a long process in which the entire staff at OMH dedicated themselves to ensuring that the training, equipment, and processes were in place to immediately respond to and care for trauma patients in our Emergency Department,” said Laura Sincock, RN, MSN, CEN, Director of Emergency Services and Trauma Program Manager at OMH.
In northern Michigan, healthcare facilities are further apart, making it even more important to have a clearly defined trauma procedure. For more information about Otsego Memorial Hospital, please visit myomh.org.
Otsego Memorial Hospital is a 46 bed nonprofit, progressive, primary and secondary care facility addressing the healthcare needs of those living, traveling and healing within the communities of Atlanta, Elmira, Frederic, Gaylord, Indian River, Cheboygan, Johannesburg, Lewiston, Waters, and Vanderbilt. OMH is home to northern Michigan’s largest multi-specialty medical group, with more than 70 providers offering primary, specialty, and walk in services. OMH is an affiliated partner with Munson Healthcare in Traverse City, Michigan.
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