Level 1 Trauma Center Designation is Renewed

September 8, 2004

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center’s Level 1 trauma center designation has been renewed by the state Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS). Wake Forest Baptist was also re-verified as a Level 1 adult and pediatric trauma center by the Committee on Trauma of the American College of Surgeons earlier this year, making it the only hospital in the state to earn all of these credentials.

The Level 1 designation is awarded to those hospitals who demonstrate the highest commitment to the care of the injured patient.

“Having a Level 1 trauma center means residents in this region can be assured they’ll have the most advanced, up-to-date and highest quality care in the case of major or life-threatening injury,” said Michael Chang, M.D., director of trauma services. “It also means area residents have a hospital nearby that is the designated source for ongoing safety and injury prevention programs, as well as for bioterrorism and mass casualty care and leadership.”

The state OEMS team reviewed all aspects of Wake Forest Baptist from AirCare and the Emergency Department, to operating rooms and rehabilitation.

In the OEMS report, Wake Forest Baptist’s major strengths were cited as strong leadership, collaboration between all subspecialties, a performance-improvement program, injury prevention programs, commitment to the injured pediatric patient, overall outstanding health care, and its rehabilitation unit.

“Care of injured patients is a core mission of Wake Forest Baptist,” said Chang. “All of our staff takes great pride in being part of a center that provides unique and life-saving care for injured patients.”

The Level 1 trauma center designation was renewed for the maximum four-year period. Wake Forest Baptist first received Level 1 designation in 1982.

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Media Contacts: Shannon Koontz, shkoontz@wfubmc.edu, or Karen Richardson, krchrdsn@wfubmc.edu, at 336-716-4587.


About Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center: Wake Forest Baptist is an academic health system comprised of North Carolina Baptist Hospital and Wake Forest University Health Sciences, which operates the university’s School of Medicine. The system comprises 1,282 acute care, psychiatric, rehabilitation and long-term care beds and is consistently ranked as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” by U.S. News & World Report.


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