Lehigh Valley Hospital–Hazleton Reaccredited as a Level IV Trauma Center

Since becoming a Level IV Trauma Center on Nov. 1, 2015, the trauma program at Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Hazleton has continued to provide optimal care and reduce the likelihood of death or disability to injured patients who enter its emergency department (ED). Because of the continued efforts of incessantly being prepared to treat the most serious life-threatening and disabling injuries, the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation (PTSF) has reaccredited LVH–Hazleton as a Level IV Trauma Center for the next four years. This is the maximum number of years a trauma center may be accredited.

A Level IV trauma center is tasked with providing optimal care for the injured patient. This care consists of providing initial care and stabilization of the most seriously injured while arranging for transfer to higher level of trauma care when needed.  Working with the Level 1 Trauma Center at LVH–Cedar Crest in Allentown, the appropriate level of trauma care is provided to every patient who is brought to LVH–Hazleton. ED staff are specially trained in the care of the traumatically injured patient. Every attempt is made to treat the patient close to home, when possible, while ensuring the patient receives a higher level of trauma care when necessary.  

According to Kira D. Weaver, DO, Trauma Program Medical Director and Associate Medical Director of Emergency Medicine, specific recognition was given to the performance improvement efforts and cited as being “outstanding.”  “The dedication and rigor of LVH–Hazleton's trauma program has improved outcomes and saved multiple lives that required immediate treatment,” Weaver says. “This diligence and everyone's contributions to this program were reflected in our recent trauma reaccreditation.  It should build momentum to continue these efforts, to strive for excellence in the care of the injured patient, and further advance our program to meet the needs of our community.”

Melanie Bowman, RN, Trauma Program Manager says, “Accreditation as a Level IV Trauma Center at LVH–Hazleton furthers our mission to ‘heal, comfort and care for the people of our community by providing advanced and compassionate health care of superior quality and value, supported by education and clinical research.”’

The emergency medical services (EMS) system is an integral component to a trauma center. The EMS system assures appropriate patient care management from the time of injury to treatment at a local trauma center through the rehabilitative phase care.

“The reaccreditation of LVH–Hazleton’s Level IV Trauma Center is an example of LVH–Hazleton’s commitment to providing the highest level of care to the residents of Hazleton and lower Luzerne County,” says Terrence Purcell, President, LVH–Hazleton. “We are fortunate to have an outstanding team of physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses and support staff caring for our patients”

In Pennsylvania there are four levels of trauma centers:

• Level I trauma centers provide the highest degree of resources with a full spectrum of specialists and must have trauma research and surgical residency programs.  
• Level II trauma centers meet the same high level of care but do not require research and residency programs.
• Level III trauma centers are smaller community hospitals that do not require neurosurgeons and focus on stabilizing severe trauma patients prior to transport to a higher level trauma center.  They may admit patients with single-system mild and moderate injuries. 
• Level IV trauma centers provide enhanced care to injured patients within the emergency department and focus on stabilization and quick transfer to a higher level trauma center. They may admit mildly injured patients.

There are 49 accredited trauma programs in Pennsylvania.