Georgia could soon have another Level 1 trauma center
Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville has applied to become a Level 1 Trauma Center. If its application is accepted, it would create another much-needed specialized research hospital in Georgia.
The state currently has four Level 1 trauma centers around the state: Augusta University Medical Center, Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, Macon’s Atrium Health Navicent, and Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta.
Until Wellstar Health System shut it down in November, another one was at Atlanta Medical Center in the city’s Old Fourth Ward.
Gainesville’s Northeast Georgia Medical Center is currently designated as a Level 2 hospital. It has 557 beds and offers a range of emergency services, including a cardiovascular ICU and a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Northeast Georgia Health System spokesperson Courtney Randolph said becoming a Level 1 hospital would allow Northeast Georgia Medical Center to participate in new research projects and improve its ability to recruit physicians.
The American College of Surgeons is expected to decide on Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville’s application sometime over the next few months.
According to the American Trauma Society, a Level 1 designation means a hospital can provide comprehensive 24/7 care for every aspect of injury.
This includes specialty surgeries, such as orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, radiology, internal medicine, plastic surgery, oral and maxillofacial, pediatric and critical care, and rehabilitation services.
A Level 1 facility must also include ongoing trauma-care teaching and research programs.
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