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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
6/23/2014 12:00:00 AM CENTRAL
Updated: 6/23/2014 12:36:29 PM CENTRAL
For more information, contact Katie Johnson.
Lake Region Healthcare Designated Level 3 Trauma Hospital
Designation by the Minnesota Department of Health helps state reach goal for timely statewide trauma care

(FERGUS FALLS, Minn.) – The Minnesota Department of Health recently awarded Lake Region Healthcare (LRH) Level 3 trauma designation for another three years.  Originally designated in 2011, LRH and its staff voluntarily participate in the intense designation process to be part of Minnesota’s statewide trauma system. The process included an outside review of the hospital’s resources and capabilities to care for trauma patients. LRH met standards of commitment, clinical and equipment resources and staff training. The hospital also participates in a continuous performance improvement process.

“We are very pleased to again achieve Level 3 Designation,” said LRH President & CEO, Larry Schulz. “Emergency Department and ICU nurses, physicians and surgeons are highly trained and complete specific trauma education on an ongoing basis. They work diligently to ensure patients receive the lifesaving medical care they need in times of trauma resulting in this Level 3 designation,” he added.

For a severely injured person, the time between sustaining and injury and receiving definitive care is the most important predictor of survival – the “golden hour.” The chance of survival diminishes with time; however, a trauma system enhances the chance of survival regardless of proximity to an urban trauma hospital.

“Trauma is the third leading cause of death in Minnesota,” said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dr. Edward Ehlinger. “The goal of the trauma system is to decrease injured patients’ time to care by making sure their medical needs are appropriately matched with hospital resources. “With the designation of LRH as a level 3 trauma hospital, we are getting closer to our goal of ensuring that seriously injured Minnesotans have access to an organized system of trauma care wherever they are in the state.”

On average, trauma claims the lives of 2,400 Minnesotans annually. States with trauma systems have seen survival rates increase by 15 to 20 percent. Wide-scale participation in the voluntary trauma system ensures that a statewide, cooperative effort is in place to care for seriously injured patients. 

Minnesota began developing a comprehensive statewide trauma system in August of 2005. By seeking designation LRH recognizes the vital role that communities, ambulance services, hospitals and health care professionals play in the care and management of trauma patients.

For more information on the Minnesota Statewide Trauma System, visit www.health.state.mn.us/traumasystem. 

About Lake Region Healthcare

Lake Region Healthcare is living out its vision to be Minnesota's preeminent regional healthcare partner. With over 70 physicians and over 850 employees, its team is dedicated to serving its patients and community with integrity, teamwork, compassion and excellence. For more information about Lake Region Healthcare, visit www.lrhc.org.

 

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