Local Trauma Center Achieves National Verification

Desert Regional Medical Center’s Level 1 Trauma Center Achieves National Verification

PALM SPRINGS — Desert Regional Medical Center has been verified as a Level 1 trauma center by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma.

Desert Regional was designated a Level 1 Trauma Center by Riverside County EMS Agency in 2023. To achieve national verification, Desert Regional had to meet essential criteria that ensure trauma care capability and the highest level of institutional performance, as outlined by the ACS COT in its current manual, Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient.

“We are so proud of our trauma team – and our staff in all areas of hospital operations – for their dedication to achieving the high standards of this national organization of experts,” said Dr. William Brien, Chief Medical Officer for Desert Regional and Desert Care Network. “It was a great honor to be designated by Riverside County as the Coachella Valley’s only Level 1 Trauma Center. This national-level verification should give our patients confidence they are receiving some of the highest levels of trauma care available today.”

So, what does it all mean> It means patients are in the care of highly skilled caregivers,

There are three levels of ACS trauma center verification, each defined by specific standards that speak to the important roles of the center in serving its community. These standards clarify the care that must be available to the injured patient at the facility, along with other expectations related to research and educational contributions to advance the field and to ensure the availability of highly qualified trauma providers in the future.

The ACS Trauma Verification, Review, and Consultation (VRC) Program helps hospitals to evaluate and improve their trauma care. It provides an objective, external review of a trauma center’s resources and performance. A team of trauma experts completes a site review of the hospital. The team assesses relevant components of the program including their regional role(s), the availability of physical and health human resources, policies, patient care protocols, and the hospital’s quality improvement processes. Of note, patients cared for in ACS-verified trauma centers have a lower risk of death and improved quality of life compared with patients in non-verified centers.

Importantly, the ACS does not designate trauma centers. Instead, it verifies compliance with its standards. A facility earns the title of “designated trauma center” when it meets the requirements of government or other authorizing entities.