The trauma program on Grand Strand Medical Center campus has received verification as a Level II Trauma Center by the Verification Review Committee (VRC), an ad hoc committee of the Committee on Trauma of the American College of Surgeons. This achievement recognizes the trauma center’s dedication to providing optimal care for injured patients.
The verification follows an extensive site survey and review in January 2015 by a team of American College of Surgeons reviewers experienced in the field of trauma. Verified trauma centers must meet the essential criteria that ensure trauma care capability and institutional performance, as outlined by the American College of Surgeons’ Committee on Trauma in its current Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient manual. A hospital’s designation level allows EMS and first responders to know exactly what the hospital’s capabilities are for caring for their trauma patient.
“Receiving our second verification from the American College of Surgeons for our Trauma Center shows our commitment to providing the highest quality of care for our residents and visitors in the community,” states Mark Sims, Grand Strand Health CEO.
A Level II trauma center requires a trauma surgeon and anesthesia staff to be in-house 24/7 with major surgical specialties on-call but with the clear commitment to be in the emergency department when the patient arrives. Other requirements include operating room availability 24/7 and operating room staff on-call and available 24/7.
Grand Strand Medical Center’s trauma program was first verified in 2012. “We are all very proud of the robust trauma program that we have developed which has experienced significant growth since its inception. Our commitment is to continue to invest in additional trauma surgeons, specialized advanced practitioners, nurses and support personnel to serve the needs of Horry and surrounding counties,” said Sims.
About Grand Strand Health: Grand Strand Health is a multi-facility health system located on the coast of the Grand Strand community. Grand Strand Health is comprised of one acute care hospital, Grand Strand Medical Center, and South Strand Medical Center, which provides 24/7 emergency services and outpatient medical services. Affiliated with Grand Strand are a number of physician practices that provide heart and vascular care, spine and neuro care, surgical care and primary and senior care. These quality-focused services work together to provide excellence in medical care to residents in our communities.
About the American College of Surgeons: The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational association of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical education and practice and to improve the care of the surgical patient. The College has over 72,000 members and it is the largest association of surgeons in the world. Longstanding achievements have placed the ACS in the forefront of American surgery and have made it an important advocate for all surgical patients.
