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St. John earns national recognition for trauma services
St. John Trauma Center is the only eastern Oklahoma trauma program to meet rigorous standards of a level II trauma center by American College of Surgeons
The St. John Trauma Center has been re-verified as a Level II Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons (ACS). This achievement recognizes the trauma center's dedication to providing optimal care for critically-injured patients. St. John is the only ACS-verified trauma program in eastern Oklahoma.
To maintain ACS verification, facilities must provide a 24-hour trauma service and maintain a surgeon-led trauma team with specialty services – including cardiac, thoracic, neurosurgical and orthopedic surgery – immediately available to patients. Rigorous response standards must also be maintained.
Trauma, such as motor vehicle crashes, industrial accidents, falls or personal violence, is the leading cause of death in the U.S. for people younger than 44, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These types of traumatic injuries are what the St. John team are certified to treat.
Michael S. Charles, MD, FACS, Trauma Medical Director at St. John Medical Center, said the accomplishment is a reflection of the exceptional work of the multidisciplinary trauma team.
"This recognition speaks to the importance we've placed on providing compassionate, personalized care for every patient during their entire spectrum of care, from the moment they enter our facility through the rehabilitation process,” said Dr. Charles. “It's an honor to be recognized nationally for the important work of our entire team — from our surgeons and nurses to our therapists and coordinators — and the specialized care we provide seriously ill or injured patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week across northeast Oklahoma and southeast Kansas.”
The St. John Trauma Center was developed in 1997 to improve care for patients with severe and multi-system injuries. St John averages 62,000 emergency room visits a year and provides advanced trauma care to more than 2,700 individuals every year.
In 2009, the trauma center became the only ACS-verified trauma program in eastern Oklahoma when it was designated as a Level II Trauma Center by the Verification Review Committee, an ad hoc committee of the Committee on Trauma of the American College of Surgeons. The Center was re-verified in 2012, 2015, 2018 and 2019. The current re-verification extends through May 2021.
To learn more about St. John Trauma Center, visit https://www.stjohnhealthsystem.com/medical-center/services/trauma-center.