Harrison Memorial Hospital Earns Trauma Level IV Center Re-Designation

Harrison Memorial Hospital (HMH) announced it is officially re-verified as a Level IV Trauma Center by the Kentucky Trauma System and verified by the Commonwealth of Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Department of Public Health. The designation was awarded in December.

As a Level IV Trauma Center, HMH has the ability to provide initial care and stabilization of traumatic injuries while arranging transfer to a higher level of trauma care. The goal is to ensure that the trauma patient is treated within the “golden hour” of injury. Using the standards set forth by the state and having pre-arranged transfer agreements with several Level I Trauma Centers, HMH ensures that the patient receives proper trauma care in a timely manner.

HMH was awarded Trauma IV Designation in 2015. Every three years, HMH completes the application and survey process for re-verification. The 2018 program was led by April Anderson, HMH Emergency Department Manager. The program includes several physician and management leaders along with local emergency management services.

The committee met to complete the requirements and application to submit to the Kentucky Trauma System. HMH submitted a trauma application in September, outlining the facility and personnel demographics, as well as statistical data. In addition, education activities and outreach programs were established to discuss trauma prevention.

Once the application was submitted, the Kentucky Trauma Advisory Committee conducted a survey on November 7. The advisory committee consisted of two registered nurses and a physician. The surveyors did not find one deficiency with the HMH Trauma Program and recommended to the Commissioner of Public Health for verification of Level IV Trauma Center re-designation. 

The Kentucky Trauma Advisory Committee recognized and commented that the commitment from HMH to deliver the best care to all patients is obvious and the importance of the program is evident.

“The trauma re-verification and outstanding survey were  house-wide accomplishments that took several months of dedicated work by many people at HMH.” says Sheila Currans, HMH Chief Executive Officer. “The surveyors applauded HMH for its outstanding dedication to its patients. We are a team that cares first for the patients we serve, and it is proven with this designation.”

The HMH Trauma Committee members are: Dr. Brady Reid, General Surgeon and Trauma Chair; April Anderson, Emergency Department Manager and Trauma Coordinator; Traci Taylor, Chief Nursing Officer and Injury Prevention Liaison; Dr. Shane Gainey, Emergency Medicine Medical Director; Dr. Madan Reddy, Orthopaedic Surgeon; Dr. Charles Allran, General Surgeon; Jeff Taylor, CRNA; Otis Davis, Radiology Manager; Cara Graves, Laboratory Manager; Mary Beth Slade, Respiratory Manager; Brittany Taylor, Medical/Surgical/Special Care Unit Manager; Summer Dryden, Surgery and Outpatient Services Manager; Rose Clifford, Quality Manager; Jerrod Davis, Chief Operating Officer; Kelly Grubbs, Cardiac Cath Lab Manager and Shane Bussell, Brown EMS Director and Alison Bussell, Brown EMS Director.

Attaining the trauma designation is the latest action taken by HMH to ensure that residents in our service area have access to vital medical services. In January 2018, HMH once again earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for hospital accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. In November 2018, HMH was honored with an “A” Hospital Safety Score by The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit run by employers and other large purchasers of health benefits. Also in 2018, HMH completed the American College of Surgeon Commission on Cancer Accreditation for oncology services. In October, HMH was awarded Chest Pain Accreditation with PCI by the American College of Cardiology.

“I am extremely proud of HMH for accomplishing Level IV Trauma Center Re-Designation,” says Dr. Brady Reid, HMH Trauma Services Medical Director. “This further demonstrates the commitment to provide the best quality care to our community.”