(Madera, California) – Valley Children’s pediatric trauma center – the only one in Central California – has been verified for another two years by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Committee on Trauma. This highlights the hospital’s outstanding quality of care for seriously injured patients. Verification extends to February of 2021.
“When children experience a traumatic injury, they are best cared for in a place where the entire team is specially trained to care just for them and for their family,” says Valley Children’s Healthcare President and CEO Todd Suntrapak. “This verification is a result of the hard work of Valley Children’s physicians, nurses and staff who are committed to the wellbeing of children.”
“Valley Children’s continues to be a leader in the field of specialized pediatric trauma services,” says Dr. Michael Allshouse, medical director of Valley Children’s pediatric trauma program and pediatric surgery. “Our entire team is committed to providing the highest quality pediatric trauma care for patients. Our focus is to work in partnership with the entire family in the care and healing of their child.”
Established by the American College of Surgeons in 1987, the Committee on Trauma’s Consultation/Verification Program for hospitals promotes the development of trauma centers in which participants provide not only the hospital resources necessary for trauma care, but also the entire spectrum of care to address the needs of all injured patients. This spectrum encompasses the prehospital phase through the rehabilitation process.
Valley Children’s Hospital is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to treat a full range of pediatric injuries and to meet the unique medical needs of children, with a comprehensive team of specialists and services including:
- A 39-bed Emergency Department with 18 pediatric emergency medicine physicians
- A 42-bed Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, with 13 pediatric intensivists and more than 150 critical care nurses, respiratory therapists and other clinical specialists
- A 20-bed Pediatric Rehabilitation Center, whose team of pediatric rehabilitation specialists and therapists can begin to coordinate care as soon as a trauma call comes in to develop a treatment plan to improve a patient’s outcome
- Nine pediatric general and trauma surgeons
- Seven pediatric orthopaedic surgeons
- Four pediatric neurosurgeons
- Six pediatric radiologists and six pediatric interventional radiologists
- Four pediatric plastic surgeons
- Two pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons
- Two pediatric interventional cardiologists
- More than 30 anesthesiologists who specialize in pediatrics and only work with children, who have special needs when undergoing procedures and surgeries
This verification by the ACS comes after the Central California Emergency Medical Services (CCEMS) Agency designated Valley Children’s Hospital as a Level II Pediatric Trauma Center, the only Pediatric Trauma Center between the Bay Area and Los Angeles.