Dayton Children’s becomes Level 1 trauma center

Dayton Children’s Hospital is now a Level 1 pediatric trauma center, which is the highest level of trauma care.

Deborah Feldman, Dayton Children’s president and CEO, said the verification highlights the extreme commitment of the Dayton Children’s trauma team, led by Dr. Jeffrey Pence, trauma medical director, and Lisa Schwing, trauma program manager.

“They not only treat the injuries, but provide long lasting healing for body and soul. The emotional damage for both child and family can be significant so we work with the community to prevent children from getting hurt in the first place. Our trauma providers live our mission of the relentless pursuit of optimal health for every child within our reach,” Feldman said.

MORE: Miami Valley Hospital South in Centerville to become trauma center

Trauma centers are emergency medical facilities that can provide a higher level of treatment and surgical care to trauma patients than other emergency departments. According to the Ohio Department of Public Safety, a Level I trauma center is capable of providing total care for every aspect of injury, from prevention through rehabilitation.

As of 2018, the other Level 1 pediatric trauma centers in the state were Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, and Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital in Cleveland.

Miami Valley Hospital also has a Level 1 trauma center in Dayton.

To get the verification, there was a two-day site visit from surveyors who review charts and documentation for accuracy and best practices.

MORE: Dayton region’s only Trauma 1 hospital re-verified

“They also meet with leadership and interview department leaders involved in the trauma process,” Tami Wiggins, director of emergency and trauma services, said in a statement. “Overall, it’s a 14-month process to apply through the ACS. The surveyors were quite pleased with everything we showed them and said it was one of the most organized and smoothest site reviews they have ever done.”

The American College of Surgeons verifies 302 specific criteria, such as continuous coverage by pediatric surgeons, and prompt availability of care in pediatric specialties such as orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, radiology, internal medicine, plastic surgery, oral and maxillofacial and critical care.

About the Author