ST. MARYS – On Dec. 18, leaders from Penn Highlands Elk announced that it’s submitted a letter of intent to the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation (PTSF) seeking accreditation as a Level IV Trauma Center.
The PTSF is the only organization responsible for accrediting trauma centers in Pennsylvania.
A Level IV Trauma Center can provide initial care and stabilization of traumatic injuries while arranging transfer to a higher level of trauma care, if needed.
Level IV Trauma Centers are usually smaller in size and located in rural areas and can provide a higher level of stabilization and treatment than non-accredited hospitals.
“Appropriate treatment by specially trained staff has been shown to reduce the likelihood of death and permanent disability to injured patients,” said Dr. Gerald Smith, DO, director of emergency medicine at Penn Highlands Elk.
“In addition, when patients receive trauma care in their region, it reduces the time to definite treatment and reduces stress on their family and friends who may otherwise have to travel to where their loved one is receiving care.”
In terms of trauma centers, northwestern Pennsylvania is underserved. There is not another trauma center in a six-county area north, east and west of Elk County.
The closest trauma center is Penn Highlands DuBois. Approximately 100 people have been transferred from the Elk County Region to Penn Highlands DuBois since the hospital became a Level II Trauma Center in 2023.
The Penn Highlands Elk accreditation survey is anticipated to occur within the next two years. It usually takes two to three years for a hospital to develop the necessary components to become fully accredited by the PTSF.
In order to become a trauma center, hospitals undergo a rigorous process of trauma program development. They must comply with the PTSF?Standards of Accreditation and host a site survey visit, completed by experienced trauma professionals, to validate compliance with the Standards that includes clinical care, performance improvement and administrative commitment.
The procedure for becoming an accredited trauma center is the same whether the facility is a small center or one of the largest hospitals in Pennsylvania.
The major difference between a regular hospital and a trauma center is the 24-hour availability of a team of specially trained health care providers with expertise in the care of severely injured patients.
When the hospital is closer to accreditation, it will be working with local EMS teams to closely align services for patients throughout the region.
