HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i State Department of Health has named Wilcox Memorial Hospital in Lihu‘e as a Level III Trauma Center, states a press release from Hawai‘i Pacific Health. This designation means the hospital has met a new level of
HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i State Department of Health has named Wilcox Memorial Hospital in Lihu‘e as a Level III Trauma Center, states a press release from Hawai‘i Pacific Health. This designation means the hospital has met a new level of stringent criteria to provide trauma care services for Kaua‘i.
“We are proud to have earned this Trauma Center designation from the Department of Health,” said Kathy Clark, President and CEO of Wilcox Memorial Hospital. “It is important to have care available for the immediate treatment of trauma patients. This prestigious designation, demonstrates the continuous advancement of our capabilities. Our community deserves these resources for trauma patients right here on Kaua‘i.”
Level III trauma centers provide prompt assessment, resuscitation, emergency surgery and stabilization and arrange for transfer to a facility that provides more advanced care if necessary
To meet the requirements of a Level III center, Wilcox Memorial Hospital has gone through a thorough review by a verifying agency. As a Level III trauma center Wilcox has made the commitment to the quality care necessary to achieve positive outcomes and will serve the residents and visitors of Kaua‘i that do not have access to a Level I or II center.
Injuries are a major public health problem in Hawai‘i. They are the leading cause of death among children and young adults, and the fourth leading cause of death among state residents of all ages. In terms of productive life lost, prolonged or permanent disability, and cost, trauma is now recognized as one of the most important threats to public health and safety in the U.S. As such, the prevention of traumatic injury and the provision of trauma care are central to the mission of public health agencies.
“Wilcox Hospital’s success in being verified and designated as a level III Trauma Center deserves congratulations for all the hard work involved by many individuals,” said Loretta J. Fuddy, Hawai‘i State Director of Health. “Their dedication to addressing the problem of injury will provide a comprehensive program that protects and preserves the health of Kaua‘i’s citizens and visitors. This milestone further ensures Hawai‘i has a quality trauma system throughout the state.”
Hawai‘i State
Trauma System
The Hawai‘i State Trauma System has been established to provide a pre-planned, comprehensive and coordinated statewide and local network with the capability to care for the seriously injured. The DOH is the legally responsible entity for the system; the Emergency Medical Services-Injury Prevention Branch is the DOH program responsible for administrative functions of planning, developing, maintaining and evaluating the system.
The Hawai‘i Trauma Advisory Council, a broadly representative advisory body of trauma stakeholders, has been formed to advise the DOH. The Trauma System Special Fund was established in 2006. Act 102 of the 2007 Legislature deposited a portion of the monies from the cigarette tax into the Fund; Act 231 of the 2008 Legislature levied a trauma system surcharge in addition to civil penalties for a number of offenses including failure to properly use a child passenger restraint system, excessive speeding and others.
Wilcox Memorial Hospital
Founded in 1938, Wilcox Memorial Hospital is a nonprofit hospital dedicated to providing the Kaua‘i community with affordable and accessible health care.
Wilcox Memorial Hospital is the largest medical facility on Kaua‘i and has been recognized as one of the nation’s best small hospitals. It offers island residents and visitors over 22 specialties with more than 170 physicians on staff. It is an acute care facility with a full suite of services from emergency, OB/GYN and pediatrics to cardiology, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, pulmonology, nephrology, cosmetic surgery, internal medicine, family practice, and women’s services.
There are 71 beds, including seven intensive care beds, five birthing suites, 20 same-day surgery beds and a 20-bed emergency department.
The hospital is equipped with MRI and CT scanners and a state-of-the-art surgical center with six surgical suites. In 2009, the American Heart Association recognized Wilcox Memorial in three areas of excellence: Coronary Artery Disease gold award, Stroke gold award and Heart Failure silver award.
Wilcox Memorial Hospital, together with Kaua‘i Medical Clinic and the Wilcox Health Foundation, is affiliated with Hawai‘i Pacific Health, the state’s largest health care provider.
Go to www.wilxcoxhealth.org. for more information.
