Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center recently earned designation as a level III trauma center from the Texas Department of State Health Services. Memorial Hermann The Woodlands is the only level III trauma center in Montgomery County.
"Memorial Hermann The Woodlands has a long tradition of providing excellent care to trauma patients," said Steve Sanders, CEO of Memorial Hermann The Woodlands. "This designation is a result of our full commitment of resources and our highly specialized team of physicians and staff who are dedicated to providing the best medical and surgical trauma care for the community."
Level III designation indicates a hospital provides resuscitation, stabilization, and assessment of injury victims and either provides treatment or arranges for appropriate transfer to a higher level designated trauma facility, such as Memorial Hermann's level I trauma center in the Texas Medical Center. It also provides ongoing educational opportunities in trauma related topics for health care professionals and the public and implements targeted injury prevention programs.
"Memorial Hermann served the community as a Level IV trauma center for more than a decade," added Sanders. "When the State approached us to become a Level III, we did not hesitate. There was a desperate need in the community and we were eager to step up to fulfill the need."
The State of Texas recognizes four levels of trauma care. Level I centers serve the most critically ill patients. A level I trauma center is always affiliated with an academic institution and a full range of specialists and equipment is available 24 hours a day. A Level II trauma center offers the same services as a level I center, but it is not affiliated with an academic institution. Level III trauma centers are capable of handling most trauma cases and are required to have general and orthopedic surgeons on call 24 hours a day. A level IV trauma center provides initial evaluation, stabilization, diagnostic capabilities, and transfer to a higher level of care if needed.
For more information on Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital, call (281) 364-2300.