Reid Health receives reverification from the American College of Surgeons' Committee on Trauma

Nov. 5, 2024 -- Reid Health has been reverified as a Level III trauma center by the American College of Surgeons' Committee on Trauma (ACS COT).

Verified trauma centers must meet essential criteria that ensure trauma care capability and the highest level of institutional performance, as outlined by the ACS COT.

There are three levels of ACS trauma center verification, each defined by specific standards that speak to the important roles of the center in serving its community. The standards clarify the care that must be available to the injured patient at the facility, along with other expectations related to research and educational contributions to advance the field and to ensure the availability of highly qualified trauma providers in the future.

Reid first earned verification as a Level III trauma center in 2017. The process consists of a rigorous two-day survey that includes an in-depth chart review of trauma cases, a hospital tour, staff interviews, a review of staff education, and a review of the organization's community involvement such as general education and injury prevention education.

"This verification process reaffirms Reid's commitment to caring for our communities," said Ryan Williams, Director of EMS, Forensics, and Trauma Services for Reid Health. "As a verified Level III Trauma Center, we have the means to quickly evaluate and stabilize injured patients through rigorous training and in-depth protocols.

"Reid is an important piece of the statewide trauma system helping to ensure all Hoosiers and those visiting our state have access to great trauma care."

The ACS does not designate trauma centers. Instead, it verifies compliance with the standards listed in the organization's manual. A facility earns the title of "designated trauma center" when it meets the requirements of government or other authorizing entities.

ACS' Trauma Verification, Review, and Consultation (VRC) Program helps hospitals to evaluate and improve their trauma care. It provides an objective, external review of a trauma center's resources and performance.

Patients cared for in ACS-verified trauma centers have a lower risk of death and improved quality of life compared with patients in non-verified centers.

"This verification process reaffirms Reid's commitment to caring for our communities. As a verified Level III Trauma Center, we have the means to quickly evaluate and stabilize injured patients through rigorous training and in-depth protocols. Reid is an important piece of the statewide trauma system helping to ensure all Hoosiers and those visiting our state have access to great trauma care." -- Ryan Williams, Director of EMS, Forensics, and Trauma Services for Reid Health

As an ACS-verified trauma center, Reid Health also becomes an ACS Surgical Quality Partner, which signifies a hospital's dedication to consistently improving procedures and approaches, while maintaining a critical eye on process at every step.

The Surgical Quality Partner designation lets patients know Reid is dedicated to quality and relentless self-improvement and has been verified or accredited by the ACS. Patients can trust the care they receive at Surgical Quality Partner hospitals adheres to the most rigorous standards in surgical quality.

"ACS Quality programs are grounded in more than a century of experience, and participation is an important measure of a hospital's surgical quality. As an ACS Surgical Quality Partner, Reid Health has shown a commitment to providing the best possible patient care, evaluating that care in a rigorous fashion, and dedicating themselves to continuous self-improvement," said ACS Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer Patricia L. Turner, MD, MBA, FACS.

About the American College of Surgeons

The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice and improve the quality of care for all surgical patients. The College is dedicated to the ethical and competent practice of surgery. Its achievements have significantly influenced the course of scientific surgery in America and have established it as an important advocate for all surgical patients. The College has more than 88,000 members and is the largest organization of surgeons in the world. "FACS" designates a surgeon is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.