OWATONNA, Minn. (Oct. 24, 2019) — The Minnesota Department of Health has designated Owatonna Hospital as a Level 4 trauma hospital. Owatonna Hospital and staff voluntarily participated in an intense designation process to become part of Minnesota’s statewide trauma system.
The process included an outside review of the hospital’s resources and capabilities to care for trauma patients. Owatonna Hospital met the standards of commitment, clinical and equipment resources and staff training. The hospital also participates in a continuous performance improvement process.
"When traumatic injuries occur time can be sensitive. Having a trauma center in Owatonna provides the community with trauma trained medical staff to care for our patients quickly, and transfer rapidly to a higher level of care when needed,” said Jessica Whipps, Owatonna Hospital Emergency Department Patient Care Manager. “We are pleased to receive this designation and look forward to providing this specialized care to the community of Owatonna."
For a severely injured person, the time between sustaining an injury and receiving definitive care is the most important predictor of survival — the “golden hour.” The chance of survival diminishes with time; however, a trauma system enhances the chance of survival regardless of proximity to an urban trauma hospital.
“Trauma is the third leading cause of death in Minnesota,” said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm. “The goal of the trauma system is to decrease injured patients’ time to care by making sure their medical needs are appropriately matched with hospital resources. With the designation of Owatonna Hospital Healthcare as a Level 4 trauma hospital, we are getting closer to our goal of ensuring that seriously injured Minnesotans have access to an organized system of trauma care wherever they are in the state.”
On average, trauma claims the lives of 2,400 Minnesotans annually. States with trauma systems have seen survival rates increase by 15 to 20 percent. Wide-scale participation in the voluntary trauma system ensures that a statewide, cooperative effort is in place to care for seriously injured patients.
For more information on the Minnesota Statewide Trauma System see their site at www.health.state.mn.us/facilities/traumasystem/.Allina Health is dedicated to the prevention and treatment of illness and enhancing the greater health of individuals, families and communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. A not-for-profit health care system, Allina Health cares for patients from beginning to end-of-life through its 90+ clinics, 10 hospitals / 13 campuses, 15 retail pharmacies, and many specialty care centers and specialty medical services, home care, and emergency medical transportation services.