ST. PAUL, MN--(Marketwire - April 26, 2010) - HealthEast Care System announces it is one of the first Twin Cities hospital systems to receive Level 3 trauma designation at all of its full service, acute care hospitals. They are St. John's Hospital in Maplewood, St. Joseph's Hospital in downtown St. Paul and Woodwinds Health Campus in Woodbury.
"This means we have the emergency physicians, surgeons, intensive care units, nursing staff and other resources available 24/7 at our hospitals to treat Level 3 trauma, such as moderate injuries from falls, sports, recreation, work-related or minor motor vehicle accidents," said James McGreevy, MD, Medical Director of HealthEast Trauma program. "It also means that our three hospitals work in partnership with Level 1 trauma centers to seamlessly transfer more complex injuries."
HealthEast's designation follows a significant preparation process to become part of the statewide trauma system, which is administered by the Minnesota Department of Health. This process included an outside review of the hospital's resources and capabilities to care for trauma patients.
According to the Minnesota Department of Health, trauma systems reduce death and disability.
- For Minnesotans, ages 1 to 44, trauma is the leading cause of death.
- On average, more than 2,400 Minnesotans die from trauma each year.
- Falls are the leading cause of injury death, followed by motor vehicle crashes. For every injury death, nine people are hospitalized for injuries.
- In 2008, the economic cost of motor vehicle fatalities in Minnesota was $514 million.
Health officials say for a severely injured person, the time between sustaining an injury and receiving definitive care is the most important predictor of survival, the so-called "golden hour."
"With the designation of HealthEast hospitals as a Level 3 trauma hospital, we are getting closer to our goal of ensuring that seriously injured Minnesotans have access to an organized system of trauma care wherever they are in the state," said Minnesota Commissioner of Health, Dr. Sanne Magnan.
HealthEast Care System is a community-focused, non-profit health care organization that provides innovative technology, compassionate care and a full spectrum of family health services. HealthEast includes Bethesda Hospital, St. John's Hospital, St. Joseph's Hospital, and Woodwinds Health Campus as well as outpatient services, clinics, home care, pharmacies and medical transportation services. Practicing financial responsibility, HealthEast is the largest, locally-owned health care organization in the Twin Cities' East Metro with 7,300 employees, 1,200 volunteers and 1,400 physicians on staff.
Contact Information:
For more information contact:
Jodi Ritacca or Allison Sandve
Senior Public Relations Specialists
651-232-6410/651-326-1399