FOR ANTIGO TIMES

Aspirus Langlade Hospital Emergency Services completed the re-verification process to remain a Level IV Trauma Center.   As a Level IV trauma center, Aspirus Langlade Hospital provides stabilization and advanced trauma life support prior to patient transfer to a Level I or II trauma center.

Wisconsin’s integrated system of trauma care requires the identification of hospitals as trauma care facilities by using the Level I, II, III, IV or “unclassified” structure.  This inclusive system recognizes that all hospitals in Wisconsin have an important role in providing optimal treatment to the injured patient.

The criteria for organizations maintaining a Level IV trauma center classification is extensive and includes:  Membership and participation in a regional trauma advisory council, engaged staff and trauma medical director, input from a multi-disciplinary trauma committee, emergency equipment availability to care for the patient within the capacity of the organization, review of trauma records and data collection and entry into the state trauma registry.

Our partnership with Aspirus Wausau Hospital, a Level II trauma center, and our local EMS are crucial to our success.  Our laboratory is well stocked with blood, should it be needed in an emergency and it was clearly evident case reviews are completed thoroughly and results utilized to improve processes. We will continue to grow our program in order to provide evidence-based, appropriate trauma care for our patients.

During 2018, 147 patients were reviewed and entered in the trauma registry program.  This data is utilized for trending and education specific to the type of injuries documented.   It is further shared on a national level to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.  One such program developed as a result of this data was the “Stop the Bleed” program. Launched in October of 2015 by the White House,” Stop the Bleed^® is a national awareness campaign and a call to action. Stop the Bleed is intended to encourage bystanders to become trained, equipped, and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency…becoming the beginning of the trauma care chain of survival.

Aspirus is a non-profit, community-directed health system based in Wausau, Wisconsin. Its 7,700 employees are focused on improving the health and well-being of people throughout Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. Aspirus serves communities through four hospitals in Upper Michigan and four hospitals in Wisconsin, more than 50 clinics, home health and hospice care, pharmacies, critical care and air-medical transport, medical goods, nursing homes and a broad network of physicians. Aspirus was recognized by IBM Watson Health as a Top 15 Health System in its 2018 annual study identifying the top-performing health systems in the country. For more information, visit aspirus.org.