Barton may have trauma designation this week
Updated Jan. 27 3:25pm: Barton received the trauma designation from the Board of Supervisors.
By Kathryn Reed
In a matter of hours Barton Memorial Hospital is likely to become the only trauma center in the Lake Tahoe Basin. The final hurdle is for approval from the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors.
The electeds on Jan. 27 are expected to sign the paperwork to make this a reality. The board is being asked to certify the designation.
“Barton’s goal is to provide high quality and appropriate care for our patients around the clock with compassion and expertise. Trauma III designation means we can help patients receive the best care and treatment available,” surgeon Kim Evans told Lake Tahoe News.
Barton originally had hoped to be a trauma hospital two years ago. The amount of paperwork and hoops to jump through forced the delay. The American College of Surgeons’ Committee on Trauma has 160 items a level three center must meet. Barton has done so and passed the verification visit on the first try.
“We have a very active population and a high volume of visitors year-round, which means our potential needs for trauma patients is greater than our population indicates. This also shows in our patient data – approximately 30 percent of our emergency visits are trauma-related,” Evans said.
There are 51 trauma centers in California, with Barton being one of four level three facilities verified by ACS.
“Trauma III designation recognizes Barton Hospital as a critical access point for patients seeking trauma care. Unlike other hospital facilities, trauma centers guarantee the resources for in-depth emergency care and the immediate availability of emergency medicine physicians, surgeons, nurses, lab and X-ray technicians, and life support equipment 24-hours a day,” Evans explained.
Renown Medical Center in Reno is a level two facility, while UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento is a level one. These levels are usually found in urban centers.
Barton has been operating as though it’s a trauma center. So it is not like there will be immediate, dramatic changes. The additional staff required for a level three has been hired, including a trauma program coordinator.
“In the long run, the care may be less expensive for patients. A patient may avoid being transferred to another trauma center and the patient’s treatment plan includes follow-up and injury prevention program,” Cate Neal, registered nurse and trauma program coordinator, told Lake Tahoe News.
However, added costs are possible from Barton.
“An activation fee is only implemented if the patient meets the trauma activation criteria for a full or modified trauma,” Evans said. “This fee covers the additional cost of care including staff and equipment implemented to help someone with a life-threatening injury.”
A major difference with being a trauma center would be the coordinated care approach. The team concept starts when a person is admitted and then all the way through rehab. Patients are also likely to see more in-depth care and have it administered faster.
“Injury prevention programs will be incorporated into a patient’s treatment plan, depending on the injury. Examples of programs include concussion awareness, alcohol prevention outreach, and physical therapy,” Neal said.
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Notes:
• The Board of Supervisors meeting is Jan. 27 starting at 9am in Placerville.
After my experience in Barton’s Emergency a few years ago – if I can still speak I’de demand to be taken somewhere else.
They were pathetically incompetent and inefficient to the point of actually forgetting I was there waiting for over 6 hours to be cared for……
And then the ridiculously extraordinary bill arrived in the mail.
Toxic Warrior, I’ve been misdiagnosed and have had several uneccesary tests and procedures done at Barton. Then comes the bill!!! But I’m still glad they’re here.
I’m glad they’re here because we need a local hospital for the broken bone, maybe stiches or the result of some other misfortune.
If in need of quality medical help or for something serious , go to Carson Tahoe hospital or Renown in Reno. Both good hospitals.
I just got the renewal notice for my Calstar membership. $50 a year and the helicopter will have you at Renown real quick. Call Calstar and become a member, it’s much cheaper than paying their rate they charge for non members, which is large!!!
Call I-888-207-5433 or http://www.calstar.org/membership.
Be safe and stay healthy. OLS
I imagine as with anything, less than great experiences can occur with every situation. I’ve had the opposite experiences at Barton both with family and neighbors. All have received excellent attention and care. Thank you to everyone who works there. I’m grateful that my medical care is right in my own back yard and I appreciate the folks who brought medical to Tahoe to begin with so many years ago.
I’ve had good care and bad both at Barton.
The woman who inserted my pic line was excellent, and kind.
But every month, the lab work results I had done at Barton for my next rounds of chemo down the hill were NOT ONCE delivered where they were supposed to go. Not once. There’s no excuse for that, but I was too sick to go further for the tests.
So, I guess we’re better off for having a hospital here, even if it is haphazard at best, and grossly overpriced at worst.
Barton Hospital, Thank you for saving my life.
I’m wondering if a dialysis (splg?) machine is now at Barton ???
sadly a good friend didn’t make it, a few years ago for the lack of this vital piece of equipment.hope this is part of becoming a trauma centre.
Service has been good, prices are ridiculous, and random bills still rolling in 4+ months later, makes me never want to access healthcare through them again, will avoid if at all possible, billing is way too stressful.
Barton acts as a clearing house for traumatic events. That is my experience and that of friends that have had the unfortunate demand for emergency services. Having a designation and not making any changes to protocols does nothing for the community.
no dialysis, no chemo — barton administration is not interested in providing either service.
level 3 trauma is not a high level trauma center. barton doesn’t have a neurosurgeon and likely never will (and hasn’t since dr harris was here) so head trauma will still be shipped out. no cardiothoracic surgeon (and never will), so major chest trauma and such will still be stabilized and shipped out. there are 2 excellent general surgeons and a lot of excellent orthopedic surgeons.
the trauma designation just means they can charge more money, as if the prices are not high enough already. good care, crazy high prices, horribly inefficient billing (a fault of their computer system more than the people in the department)
cal star membership is a very very smart thing to do!