Sept. 11, 2023

Sanford USD Medical Center has become the first health system the in the state to be verified as a Level I Adult Trauma Center.

This verification is awarded by the American College of Surgeons and is the highest level of trauma care.

“My congratulations extend beyond just a single department,” Paul Hanson, president and CEO of Sanford Health in Sioux Falls, said in a statement.

“I am grateful to every individual who makes a difference in trauma care at Sanford Health. From our clinicians and nurses to our AirMed team and to those cleaning our patient and operating rooms, each employee has a hand in the care we provide for our trauma patients. This is more than just a verification; this is Sanford setting itself apart by being the premier rural health care system in the country. Our patients can feel safer because they are safer when they come through our doors.”

Established by the American College of Surgeons in 1987, the Committee on Trauma’s Consultation/Verification Program for Hospitals promotes the development of trauma centers in which participants provide not only the hospital resources necessary for trauma care, but also the entire spectrum of care to address the needs of all injured patients.

A Level I trauma center is required to have a certain number of surgeons and anesthesiologists, specialty services and other services on duty 24/7.

Qualifications met to achieve this verification include:

• Provide 24-hour medical coverage by general surgeons and prompt availability to specialties such as orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, cardiac surgery, thoracic surgery, hand surgery, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, radiology, plastic surgery, oral and maxillofacial, pediatric, interventional radiology, critical care and many other services along a full spectrum of surgical and medical specialists.
• Provide orthopedic care overseen by an individual who has completed a fellowship in orthopedic traumatology.
• Maintain a surgically directed ICU service.
• Train surgical residents.
• Serve as a referral source to regional communities.
• Provide leadership in prevention through public education.
• Provide continuing education for trauma team members.
• Incorporate a comprehensive quality improvement program.
• Help direct new innovations in trauma care through a successful trauma research program.
• Serve specific volumes of severely injured patients.

Such centers also are required to have a rigorous performance improvement program, keep an extensive database and submit data to the National Trauma Data Bank.