Hermitage, TN - TriStar Summit Medical Center has achieved a Level III Trauma Center designation by the State of Tennessee Department of Health through the Office of Emergency Services. The designation completes a nearly two-year process of preparation by the hospital and an extensive on-site survey by the state. One of the most important benefits to patients transported to TriStar Summit Medical Center is quicker access to critical care for serious injuries and expedited transfers if necessary.
TriStar Summit Medical Center CEO Brian Marger said the designation is a milestone achievement for the hospital and staff. "The designation as a Level III Trauma Center is the result of many hours of hard work and coordination among multiple members of our hospital care team" said Marger. "It is a testament to our facility's commitment to providing and investing in the highest quality health care to the expanding communities we serve."
Strict criteria must be met in order to receive trauma center designation, which include meeting specific requirements pertaining to hospital staffing, availability of physician subspecialists, response times, education, training and an increased focus on quality improvement; all supported by outreach and community education.
"Being a state-recognized Level III Trauma Center shows TriStar Summit's commitment to providing a higher level of care to the most critically sick and injured patients in our community and the populations we serve," said Mark Baltau, RN, Trauma Program Manager at TriStar Summit Medical Center.
To secure the three-year designation, the trauma team led by trauma medical Director, Dr. Michael Thomas, spent months designing and refining systems and procedures to ensure a top caliber trauma program. This hard work was verified earlier this month when the state survey was conducted and awarded TriStar Summit Medical Center full program designation.