Centura Health establishes comprehensive trauma system across its regional facilities

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.

“The Centura Health Trauma System provides our patients with access to a dedicated network of hospitals and operating entities that provide the highest level of care at the most critical time of need,” said Margaret Sabin, president and CEO, Penrose-St. Francis Health Services. “We maximize our available resources to minimize the impact for patients and their families.”

Centura Health facilities, geographically spread across Colorado, partner with community health care centers in the communities they serve to provide trauma designation review assistance, and offer educational support, injury prevention programs and research opportunities. In addition, Centura Health offers the greatest number of preventive programs across the state to promote wellness, including alcohol awareness and child-passenger safety.

Facilities in the Centura Health Trauma System include: Avista Adventist Hospital in Louisville, St. Anthony North Hospital in Westminster, St. Anthony Central Hospital in Denver, Parker Adventist Hospital in Parker, Littleton Adventist Hospital in Littleton, St. Anthony Granby Medical Center in Granby, St. Anthony 7 Mile Medical Clinic in Winter Park, St. Anthony Summit Medical Center in Frisco, St. Anthony Keystone Medical Clinic in Keystone, Breckenridge Medical Clinic in Breckenridge, Penrose-St. Francis Health Services and St. Francis Medical Center in Colorado Springs, St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center in Pueblo and St. Thomas More Hospital in Cañon City.

Highly trained emergency physicians, surgeons, surgical specialists, nurses and other disciplines are equipped to provide immediate, responsive care, utilizing the resources provided by the Centura Health network. Capabilities include trauma surgery, neurosurgery, trauma orthopedics, vascular surgery, emergency medicine, spinal surgery, critical care, radiology, interventional radiology, neuro interventional, cardiovascular surgery, ENT, maxillofacial, infectious disease, plastic and hand surgery, and rehabilitation.

http://www.centura.org/