USA Health University Hospital verified as Level I trauma center by American College of Surgeons

By Carol McPhail
[email protected]

The Fanny Meisler Trauma Center at USA Health University Hospital has been verified as a Level I trauma center by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Committee on Trauma, making it the only ACS-verified trauma center between Mobile and Birmingham, and one of two in the state.

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

“Achieving Level I trauma center verification from the American College of Surgeons is a powerful testament to our unwavering commitment to clinical excellence and the highest standards of trauma care. For our patients and community, it means that in the most critical moments, they can count on us to deliver the most advanced, lifesaving care 24/7,” said Josh Snow, MSHA, chief executive officer of University Hospital. “This achievement also elevates the performance, coordination, and quality across every service line in our hospital.”

The Fanny Meisler Trauma Center sees more than 3,000 trauma patients per year with a 96% survival rate.

There are three levels of ACS adult trauma center verification, with Level I reserved for the most robust and extensive trauma centers that have advanced capabilities and access to various specialties. ACS 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.

The ACS Trauma Verification, Review, and Consultation Program helps hospitals to evaluate and improve their trauma care. It provides an objective, external review of a trauma center’s resources and performance. A team of trauma experts completes a site review of the hospital and assesses relevant components of the program including its regional role, the availability of physical and health human resources, policies, patient care protocols and the hospital’s quality improvement processes.

According to the ACS, patients cared for at ACS-verified trauma centers have a lower risk of death and improved quality of life compared with patients in non-verified centers.

“Meeting the standards for optimal care as put forth by the American College of Surgeons is the highest level of achievement for any surgery program,” said Michael Chang, M.D., system chief medical officer at USA Health and associate vice president for medical affairs. “By doing this, USA Health ensures that injured patients on the Gulf Coast will receive timely, expert-led, patient-centered care.”

Importantly, the ACS does not designate trauma centers but rather verifies compliance with the high ACS standards listed in the manual “Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient.” A facility earns the title of “designated trauma center” when it meets the requirements of an authorizing entity. University Hospital has held state Level I trauma designation from the Alabama Department of Public Health for more than 15 years.

University Hospital also participates in the ACS Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP), which ensures that a hospital has acquired the strongest surgical data to analyze and improve patient outcomes. TQIP complements the trauma verification program by providing centers with the information they need to make changes to care so they continually improve outcomes for their patients.

Jon D. Simmons, M.D., FACS, chief of the Division of Trauma, Acute Care Surgery and Burns, praised the efforts of all staff involved in the ACS verification process. “This achievement is a testament to the exceptional dedication, skill, and teamwork of our entire trauma staff, whose unwavering commitment ensures that every severely injured patient receives the highest level of care when it matters most,” he said.