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Friday May 25 2012

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 17, 2002

Norton Sound Regional Hospital named Alaska’s first Level IV trauma center

Organized & timely response improves patient care, reduces trauma death rate.

Norton Sound Regional Hospital (NSRH) in Nome became Alaska’s first Level IV Trauma Center Oct 7, 2002, meeting criteria set forth by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS). A Level IV facility provides initial evaluation and assessment of injured patients, resuscitation and stabilization, and prepares the seriously injured patient for transfer to a referral hospital.

“Unintentional injuries are the number one cause of death of children and young adults, and a major cause of death, hospitalization and disability for all age groups in Alaska,” DHSS Commissioner Jay Livey said. “Mortality rates for Alaska Natives due to unintentional injuries are more than twice the overall state rate. Norton Sound Regional Hospital recognized this great need in Northwest Alaska, and their achievement benefits everyone in the region.”

“Norton Sound Regional Hospital should be commended for stepping forward and becoming the first Level IV trauma center in Alaska,” Karen Pearson, Alaska Director of Public Health said. “Because of their efforts, the people NSRH serves have access to the highest quality trauma services possible, therefore decreasing the additional death and disability that occur when trauma victims do not receive immediate and appropriate care.”

“This designation demonstrates a commitment by the staff of Norton Sound Regional Hospital to trauma care and stabilization,” Joe Cladouhos, President & CEO of Norton Sound Regional Health Corporation (NSRHC) said.

At the NSRH’s request, a team including a trauma surgeon and trauma nurse visited Norton Sound Regional Hospital and verified its compliance with DHSS criteria, which are based on American College of Surgeons (ACS) standards. Research in other states demonstrates that an organized and timely response to trauma, as outlined in the national standards, can improve patient care, reduce trauma death rates, and enhance staff confidence in treating traumatic injury victims.

“Our patients can be assured that NSHC has ‘state of the art’ trauma care systems and providers,” Cladouhos said.

Benefits of Level IV Designation

  • Trauma system thoroughly reviewed and up to State and national standards.

  • NSRH’s providers must be up to date on trauma certification and training.

  • Systems to handle trauma stabilization and timely and appropriate transfers must be in place and running smoothly.

  • Quality improvement and assurance systems continually monitor and improve NSRH’s trauma care systems.

The State certified one other trauma center in Alaska in 1999, the Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC) in Anchorage, certified as a Level II trauma center, which is the highest possible designation in Alaska at this time. Other Alaskan facilities are also seeking trauma facility certification.

Online information

Printer friendly version of this release (PDF, 166k)

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For more information, please contact

Sherry Hill, Special Assistant to the Commissioner for Communications
(907) 465-1611

Or

Ross Soboleff
Public Information Officer III
(907) 465-1611

 

Or

    Joe Cladouhos,
    President/CEO,
    907-350-0380;

    Dr. David Head, Medical Director,or
    Karla Homelvig, Compliance Officer,
    Norton Sound Regional Hospital, 907-443-3311