Trauma and Emergency Services
Legislation enacted in 2008 enabling the South Dakota Department of Health to develop a trauma care system, including a statewide trauma registry that involves all hospitals and emergency medical services within the state.
A trauma system is an organized response to managing and improving the care of severely injured people. It spans the continuum of care from prevention to pre-hospital care, acute care and rehabilitation. As the result of a State Trauma Survey, hospitals in South Dakota are designated according to the type of trauma care they provide. The system also provides a foundation for disaster preparedness and response across the state.
“Early intervention is critical in trauma cases. Minutes may mean the difference between life and death, “said Katie Biggins, RN, clinic nurse manager and trauma coordinator at Avera Gregory Hospital. “South Dakota’s Trauma System ensures that trauma patients in our community have access to high quality and well coordinated services.”
Designated Trauma Receiving Hospital
To be a Designated Trauma Receiving Hospital, Avera Gregory Hospital had to establish that we are able to receive injured patients 24 hours a day, and provide the trained medical professionals needed to treat them immediately, or stabilize their condition before transport to a tertiary hospital. Avera Gregory Hospital also established a Performance Improvement system.
Criteria for Trauma Receiving Hospitals includes having 24/7 emergency department coverage by a physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner. In addition, Avera Gregory Hospital Emergency Room is covered by eEmergency, providing immediate access to emergency and trauma specialists through interactive video and computer technology. All 14 nurses involved in trauma care are Trauma Nursing Course Certified (TNCC) and five physicians and three midlevel providers at Gregory have received Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) training.
When injuries occur in our area due to auto accidents, farm accidents, natural disasters or other events, we stand ready to intervene as part of the continuum of care in our state trauma system.