Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Medical Center recognized for meeting highest trauma standards

Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Medical Center, near Elk Grove, has been re-verified as a Level II Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons (ACS), an achievement that recognizes the trauma center’s dedication to providing the highest quality trauma care for all injured patients.

In 2012, the trauma center at Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento treated nearly 1,300 patients with traumatic injuries. The most common injuries treated were those resulting from motor vehicle collisions, followed by falls and cvvictims of violence.

“Kaiser Permanente is proud to be the only trauma center in South Sacramento and has invested significant resources in staff, facilities, equipment and technology to offer the best care to those with critical traumatic injuries,” said Patricia Rodriguez, RN, Senior Vice President and Area Manager, South Sacramento.

The ACS verification came after an on-site review in January by the Verification Review Committee, comprised of a team of reviewers experienced in the field of trauma. They judged the trauma program on a list of criteria that evaluated the trauma center staff, equipment and other resources to verify that it met a set of high standards.

“For victims of trauma, having immediate access to specialized resources and equipment is critical. Our integrated team of physicians, specialists, nurses and support staff is always ready to serve anyone who suffers life-threatening or other injury,” said Richard Isaacs, MD, Physician-in-Chief, South Sacramento. “We are extremely proud that the American College of Surgeons has verified that our program meets its very high standards.”

Since opening the trauma center in 2009, the Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Medical Center has bolstered the trauma program by adding a fulltime patient care coordinator who helps with trauma patients’ follow-up needs. The program also features an extensive trauma education program for nursing staff covering all systems of trauma, and rehabilitation. Physicians are involved in intensive care unit rounds, which has helped streamline the process of getting brain and spinal injured patients into acute rehabilitation.

The South Sacramento trauma team has also served as a resource to the Kaiser Permanente Vacaville Medical Center, which became a Level III trauma center in 2011. South Sacramento will support Vacaville in its efforts to be designated the only Level II trauma center in Solano County later this year.

The South Sacramento trauma program serves an area that roughly stretches from Interstate 5 east to part of Rancho Cordova, and from Florin Road to the San Joaquin County line.