Our family’s first experience needing 911 was prompted by a fall with a resulting broken nose and lots of bleeding.
We were thankful for the efficient response, and caring attitude, of both the emergency responders and the emergency room staff at Olympic Medical Center.
We left the emergency department with the nose fixed rather than a referral to get it repaired elsewhere.
Thankfully OMC is a Level III trauma center. Jefferson Healthcare and Forks Community Hospital, because of size, are Level IV trauma centers.
American Trauma Society explains the difference:
“A Level III Trauma Center has demonstrated an ability to provide prompt assessment, resuscitation, surgery, intensive care and stabilization of injured patients and emergency operations.
“They can provide 24-hour immediate coverage by emergency medicine physicians and the prompt availability of general surgeons and anesthesiologists.”
“A Level IV Trauma Center has demonstrated an ability to provide advanced trauma life support (ATLS) prior to transfer of patients to a higher level trauma center.”
In other words, OMC can stabilize and provide treatment needed, even if it is surgery.
Level IV facilities only stabilize the patient before sending them off to a place that can provide more care.
Important information if you have a medical emergency.
I am thankful OMC has taken the extra effort to be a Level III trauma center.
I plan to vote yes on the Clallam County Hospital District No. 2 levy so we can continue to receive this higher level of emergency care.
Norma Turner
Port Angeles