Trauma Services
Pre-Hospital
When Emergency Medical Services (EMS) respond to an emergency, it is their responsibility to evaluate the situation and if the potential for life- or limb-threatening injury exists, stabilize the patient and then transport him/her to the nearest accredited trauma center.
Arrival at St. Luke's Regional Resource Trauma Center
Upon arrival at St. Luke’s Adult Level 1 Trauma Center, the patient is rushed to state-of-the-art trauma resuscitation bays located within the Emergency Department (ED). There, the patient is immediately evaluated by the trauma team which consists of fellowship-trained trauma surgeons and nurses with advanced education and training in the treatment of traumatic injuries. The trauma team assesses the patient for both known and suspected life- and limb-threatening injuries. If no serious injuries are found, the patient may be discharged to home. However, most patients will be admitted to the hospital or transferred to the Operating Room following a comprehensive evaluation.
Transfer to the Operating Room (OR) or Radiology
If the trauma team’s evaluation reveals a life- or limb-threatening injury, the patient is immediately transferred to a specially equipped and staffed Operating Room where necessary surgery can be performed. If the trauma team’s evaluation does not reveal a life- or limb-threatening injury, the patient is transferred to Radiology where additional diagnostic procedures such as X-rays or CT scans are performed. At this point, the patient can either be admitted to St. Luke’s Hospital for further care or discharged if doctors determine that he/she has sustained no serious injuries.
Admission to St. Luke's Hospital
After surgery, or once the extent of the patient’s injuries has been determined, he/she is admitted to the hospital. Depending on the severity and type of injury and the patient’s age, he/she is admitted to one of four units:
Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
The ICU provides the highest level of care for the most seriously injured patient, including the comatose patient, the patient who requires a mechanical ventilator to breathe and the patient with numerous medical problems.
Priscilla Payne Hurd Pavilion 9 (PPHP9)
PPHP9 provides for the patient with less severe injuries. This unit focuses on, but is not limited to, the patient with orthopedic and/or neurologic injuries.
Priscilla Payne Hurd Pavilion 8 (PPHP8) / Centennial Wing 4 (CW4)
PPHP8 also provides a less intense level of care than the ICU for the patient with less severe injuries. This unit focuses on, but is not limited to, the surgical patient.
Pediatrics
All trauma patients who are 14 and under and do not require the services of the ICU are admitted to Pediatrics. This unit is specially designed to meet the special needs of children and young adolescents.
Convalescence
If the trauma patient requires a hospital stay to gradually recover his/her health and strength, he/she will be evaluated and treated by numerous rehabilitation and support services, including:
- Case Management
- Nutrition Services
- Occupational Therapy
- Pastoral Care
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- Physical Therapy
- Respiratory Therapy
- Speech Therapy
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Discharge
Following the patient’s hospital stay, he/she can be discharged to:
- Home
- An inpatient rehabilitation facility, where he/she can receive long-term care for severe conditions such as coma or a spinal cord injury
Follow-up
The trauma patient’s follow-up care will be coordinated by the trauma surgeon and a trauma nurse practitioner who cared for the patient in the hospital and will include the patient’s family doctor and specialists when appropriate.