South Texas Health System McAllen Verified as a Level I Trauma Center

Tuesday, September 6, 2022
South Texas Health System McAllen Verified as a Level I Trauma Center

The trauma center at South Texas Health System McAllen has been verified as a Level I Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and designated as such by the Texas Department of State Health Services, making it only the second trauma center in the Rio Grande Valley to receive the notable distinction.

Along with highlighting the rigorous, multi-disciplinary trauma and critical care model STHS McAllen has provided to the people of the Rio Grande Valley throughout the years, the verification is proof of the facility’s commitment to bringing the highest level of quality, compassionate care to its patients, including optimal care for seriously injured patients.

Trauma and Critical Care at STHS McAllen

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“STHS McAllen prides itself on giving top-tier care to patients who need it most,” said Todd Mann, Chief Executive Officer, STHS McAllen. “This Level I trauma center designation means STHS McAllen has the manpower and resources needed to provide the highest level of care before, during and after a trauma event. Countless lives are saved each year in our trauma center, due in large part to the dedication and hard work provided by our physicians and staff in the trauma, rehabilitation and adult inpatient departments every day. This designation would not be possible without them.”

STHS McAllen has filed the required paperwork to the Texas Department of State Health Services to have STHS McAllen’s license amended to reflect its updated designation as a Level I Comprehensive Trauma Facility.

The ACS Committee on Trauma’s Consultation/Verification Program for Hospitals was established by the American College of Surgeons in 1987. It promotes the development of trauma centers in which participants are assessed for commitment, readiness, resources, policies, patient care, performance improvement and other relevant features as outlined in Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient standards. Trauma care is evaluated from the preadmission phase through the rehabilitation process.

Verified trauma centers must meet the essential criteria that ensure trauma care capability and institutional performance, as outlined by the ACS Committee on Trauma in its developed standards, Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient manual.

There are three levels of verification for hospitals that serve adults. Level I trauma centers provide comprehensive trauma care for all injuries, have an important role in trauma system development, regional disaster planning, increasing capacity and advancing trauma care through research.

A level I trauma center provides the highest level of surgical care to trauma patients. It has a full range of specialists and equipment available 24 hours a day and must admit at least 1,200 trauma patients a year or have 240 admissions with an Injury Severity Score of more than 15 for adults. STHS McAllen exceeds these minimum requirements, admitting more than 1,250 trauma patients annually.

“This designation demonstrates the high-quality trauma and critical care being provided each day at STHS McAllen,” said Carlos Palacio, MD, Chairman, Department of Surgery at STHS McAllen. “I am honored to be part of an institution that is willing to commit the resources required to provide excellent patient care and improve health outcomes for the Rio Grande Valley.”