Burnett Medical Center Recertified As A Level IV Trauma Care Facility

Grantsburg, WI — Burnett Medical Center underwent a difficult survey to evaluate their ability to provide Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) to trauma patients and is proud to have been re-designated as a Level IV Trauma Care Facility. This designation enables the facility to treat trauma patients.

“A trauma patient can range from anyone who has suffered injuries from slipping and falling, to falling out of a tree stand, to being involved in a roll-over car crash,” explained Becky Windsor, Director of Nursing at Burnett Medical Center.

To be designated as a trauma care facility in the state of Wisconsin, the state trauma survey team must verify that a facility has protocols in place to ensure trauma patients can be taken care of in an adequate and timely manner. This includes engaged and competent staff, coordination among facility departments, and relationships with EMS services and tertiary facilities that can continue the care that is initiated at the local hospital.

Burnett Medical Center partners with North Memorial’s EMS service to transfer patients via ground ambulance from the field to the Emergency Department, and when a patient’s condition requires more advanced care, the patient is transferred via ground ambulance or helicopter.

Burnett Medical Center also partners with Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, MN for the Level 1 Heart Attack Program. With this program, patients suffering from heart attack can be transferred from Burnett Medical Center to Abbott Northwestern Hospital in just 20 minutes.

“Being re-designated is a great accomplishment and speaks to our readiness to meet the needs of trauma patients that come through our doors. As a community hospital, it is essential we have the relationships and people in place to meet the health care needs of all trauma patients, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” said Gordy Lewis, CEO, of Burnett Medical Center. “We commend our hospital staff for their ongoing commitment to providing quality care to trauma patients in our area”.