Traumatic injury can happen at any time to anyone. And when that occurs, it’s good to know the Parkview Adult and Pediatric Trauma Centers are ready to step in.
What are traumatic injuries?
The term "trauma" refers to a broad category of injuries that involve multiple body systems and may be caused by a variety of means, such as:
- Falls
- Motor vehicle crashes/pedestrian impacts
- Bicycle, motorcycle, ATV or buggy crashes
- Watercraft crashes
- Contact with machinery/farm equipment
- Sporting accidents/rollerblading/skateboarding
- Drowning
- Punctures/stabbing
- Shooting
- Explosion
These complicated types of injury require an expert and well-rehearsed response by a team of medical specialists. The verified Level II Parkview Adult and Pediatric Trauma Centers at Parkview Regional Medical Center provide that highly orchestrated response when immediate medical care is needed, thanks to the teamwork of these specialists:
- Trauma surgeons
- Emergency physicians
- Orthopedic trauma surgeons
- Neurosurgeons
- Anesthesiologists
- Radiologists
- Pediatric critical care specialists
- Pediatric surgeon
- Cardiovascular surgeons
- Trauma epidemiologist
- TNCC (Trauma Nursing Core Course) and CEN (Certified Emergency Nurse) nursing staff
Trauma programs and services
Parkview Trauma Centers focus on educating the public on life-saving tips and resources based on research and data, with the goal of preventing traumatic injuries or death from motor vehicle crashes, falls, drowning, and more. We believe that knowledge is the first step toward a safer community.
Educate yourself and others with these resources.
- Distracted driving (Don’t Text and Drive)
- Helmet safety
- School bus safety
- Share the Road
- Stop the Bleed
- Fall prevention
- Parkview Safety Store
- Firearm safety
What happens when a traumatic injury occurs?
When a life-threatening injury occurs, the next 60 minutes are the most critical. Known as the “golden hour,” this is the time when expert trauma care can increase a patient’s chance of survival by as much as 50 percent. This is the time when teamwork is vital.
Parkview partners with local emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics, who provide initial medical care and determine the severity of injuries. Individuals with life-threatening injuries are then transferred to the trauma centers by ambulance, one of the Parkview Samaritan helicopters or the Parkview Samaritan Mobile ICU.
The physicians and staff of Parkview Trauma Centers stand ready to help around the clock, 365 days a year.
Within minutes of being notified that a patient is being transported to the hospital, Parkview’s trauma team rushes to the emergency room. With communication from personnel at the scene, Parkview’s team of physicians, surgeons, nurses and other professionals develops a treatment plan and prepares all necessary equipment. Members of the team know their roles and are ready for action. To provide the very best trauma care, this systematic approach is followed each time, for each child and adult treated at the Parkview Trauma Centers.
Since 1992, Parkview has maintained a database of trauma cases that is useful for reviewing patient care practices, anticipating trends, developing trauma prevention programs and providing training for physicians, emergency medical personnel and hospital nursing and other staff.