Bronson Methodist Hospital re-verified as Southwest Michigan’s only Level I Trauma Center

KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Bronson Methodist Hospital was recently re-verified by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) as a Level I Trauma Center.

Level I is the highest ranking a trauma center can achieve.

It means the entire hospital has committed itself to the care of trauma patients and has met high standards in both its experience and breadth of service for critically injured adults and children.

First verified as a Level I Trauma Center in 1989, Bronson Methodist Hospital has successfully met the stringent re-verification standards ever since, and is the only Level I Trauma Center in the region.

Verification is granted only after a thorough review that confirms the hospital is providing optimal trauma care. A Level I Trauma Center is capable of providing total care for every aspect of injury – from prevention through rehabilitation.

“The successful completion of any accreditation is borne from a ‘village mentality,’ in this, team spirit is the key ingredient that leads to ultimate success,” Bronson trauma medical director and surgeon Dr. Oreste Romeo said. “This Level I Trauma recognition for upholding the standards of excellence of the American College of Surgeons is especially meaningful as it required all of us coming together and continuing to deliver exceptional care through the difficult times of these unanticipated years of pandemic. It is a credit to our staff’s commitment, resilience and Positivity.”

Bronson listed the criteria for this ranking as follows:

• 24-hour in-house coverage by general surgeons, and prompt availability of care in specialties such as orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, radiology, internal medicine, plastic surgery, oral and maxillofacial, pediatric and critical care.
• Referral resource for communities in nearby regions.
• Provides leadership in prevention, public education to surrounding communities.
• Provides continuing education of the trauma team members.
• Incorporates a comprehensive quality assessment program.
• Operates an organized teaching and research effort to help direct new innovations in trauma care.
• Program for substance abuse screening and patient intervention.
• Meets minimum requirement for annual volume of severely injured patients.

Readers can visit bronsonhealth.com/trauma for more information.