A celebration was held at the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children today to recognize our designation as a Pediatric Level II Trauma Center by the State of Delaware.
This designation was awarded following a year of operating as a provisional Level II Pediatric Trauma facility, an intensive site visit by the American College of Surgeons, who approved duPont Hospital for verification for a full 3-year term in December, and final designation by the Delaware Division of Public Health. The duPont Hospital is now the only Pediatric Level II Trauma Center in Delaware.
“It is my pleasure to recognize Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children for fulfilling the requirements to be designated by the State of Delaware as a Pediatric Level II Trauma Center. The leadership and staff of duPont Hospital are to be congratulated on this major achievement, demonstrating their commitment to the care of injured children in our state,” says MarySue Jones, RN, MS, Delaware Office of EMS, Trauma System Coordinator.
Glen Tinkoff, MD, Medical Advisor for Delaware Trauma System, agreed, stating, ”This event marks a milestone in the maturation of Delaware’s Trauma System. It has been 13 years since the signing of the legislation, introducing the trauma system in Delaware, and in that time we have realized a significant decrease in death due to injury. With this as a foundation, we are proud to now welcome Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children to its rightful place as Delaware’s Regional Pediatric Trauma Center.”
This designation is the result of Nemours’ ongoing commitment to improving emergency services at the hospital. A number of recent enhancements have been made to increase satisfaction for our patients and their families. These include:
Constructing an expanded helipad, allowing larger helicopters to support our Emergency Department and Trauma program, by transporting injured children whom need immediate trauma care.
Installing a 64-Slice CT Scanner providing CT scans faster and with improved image quality.
Adding observation rooms to the ED, providing more comfortable facilities for patients who may require an extended stay, but do not require admittance.
Enhancing the nursing triage process to shorten the triage time, as well as more accurately predicting the level of care needed and wait times required.
“Increasing our capabilities to provide the highest quality care for the children of Delaware and the surrounding region has been a high priority for the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children,” says Tom Ferry, Chief Executive Officer at Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children. “Receiving the designation of Pediatric Level II Trauma Center is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our Trauma team. They have demonstrated a tremendous commitment to the care of our children during a time when they are at their most vulnerable. Their efforts will benefit children in Delaware and throughout the region for years to come.”