Level II Trauma
Not all hospitals are trauma centers, and not every emergency department can handle every emergency. A trauma center is not an emergency department, but a state-accredited facility capable of highly-specialized timely treatment for the most critical of injuries. Good Shepherd is one of only ten hospitals in Texas (as of January 2009) to have such a high certification. Studies show that care at a trauma center lowers by 25% the risk of death for injured patients compared to treatment received at non-trauma centers. Good Shepherd has proven itself to have the highest level of care possible in the area, and attained a Level II Trauma designation by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and verified by the American College of Surgeons’ Committee on Trauma (ACSCOT).
Trauma refers to any injury caused by physical force. In most cases, trauma is the result of motor vehicle crashes, falls, gunshots, fires & burns, stabbing or blunt assaults. More than 10,000 people die every day, world-wide, and 300,000 people are severely injured daily – mostly from road traffic crashes and violence. To cope with these staggering needs, ordinary hospitals often send their patients with dire needs to trauma centers for expert care.
Trauma prevention and education is an important part of the trauma process at Good Shepherd. By encouraging safe practices and the use of protective gear like seat belts and bicycle or motorcycle helmets, Good Shepherd works to decrease the likelihood of traumas and increase public awareness.
Good Shepherd’s Emergency Department is the largest ER in Northeast Texas and provides trauma care for Gregg County and many surrounding counties. Good Shepherd treats more than 88,000 emergency patients annually, which includes more than 9,000 trauma patients.
With a combination of experience and skilled staff, Good Shepherd Medical Center is a trustworthy choice for emergency care.
Find out more about Good Shepherd’s Emergency Services by calling the Good Shepherd Healthy Hotline at (903) 315-4747 or 1-888-784-4747.