According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, trauma is the leading cause of death for Coloradans ages one to 44. Studies indicate that 30 to 40 percent of all trauma deaths occur within one hour of injury, and that 30 to 40 percent of these deaths are preventable if timely, appropriate care is received.
In response to the critical need for quality trauma care, Centura Health, Colorado’s largest hospital and health care network, has become the first integrated health care network nationally to establish a comprehensive trauma system across its regional facilities. Touted as Colorado’s leader in trauma care, the Centura Health Trauma System provides seamless inter-facility transfers throughout the Rocky Mountain region with 19 Centura Health facilities—including 14 trauma centers, the state’s largest EMS support system, and essential partnerships—to expedite access to life-saving treatment that offers support for trauma patients in more communities throughout Colorado than any other health care organization.
The facilities that comprise the Centura Health Trauma System have been designated by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment based on varying levels of definitive care from resuscitation to rehabilitation including Level I through Level V trauma centers. The Centura Health Trauma System provides medical direction and EMS support for more than 75 pre-hospital agencies including fire, ambulance, ski patrols, rescue groups and communication centers across Colorado.
In addition, Flight For Life® Colorado features four helicopters, based at St. Anthony Central Hospital in Denver, St. Anthony Summit Medical Center in Frisco, St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center in Pueblo and St. Francis Medical Center in Colorado Springs; two fixed-wing planes that service Colorado and eight surrounding states; and three critical care ambulances. Flight For Life® helicopter service spans 92,000 square miles in Colorado and is the transport program of choice for The Children’s Hospital, University Hospital, Ft. Carson Army Post, Outward Bound, ski patrols, search and rescue groups, and many other facilities and agencies who expect safety, clinical excellence and accountability in the transport of their patients. Flight For Life® Colorado transports 3,600 patients each year to facilities across Colorado with the help of 130 medical, aviation and administrative professionals.
“The statewide Centura Health Trauma System extends our footprint of support across Colorado by establishing a highly organized system of care for trauma patients,” said Gary Campbell, president and CEO, Centura Health. “This network of highly skilled trauma specialists, emergency medical service providers, trauma centers and Flight For Life® is specifically designed to raise the bar on Colorado trauma care and most of all to save lives.”
This year, the Centura Health Trauma System has established a system-wide trauma registry that cultivates knowledge and shares best practices to improve patient outcomes. With more than 6,500 trauma patients treated within the Centura Health network annually, the Centura Health Trauma System applies extensive focus to improve the delivery, continuity and quality of care during life’s most critical moments and complements the state’s existing trauma system, ensuring exceptional, responsive trauma care to Coloradans. To date, the Centura Health Trauma System’s registry includes over 28,000 patient records.