Mercy Health St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital Annual Reports
Level I Trauma Center
Level I is the highest rating designated to a trauma center by the American College of Surgeons (ACS). It allows for the quickest response possible to treat the severely injured. The trauma team meets or exceeds rigorous criteria and takes an organized and systematic approach to its work. The team is in a constant state of readiness 24 hours a day. Siemans CT scanner, surgery suite, and critical care units stand by for the trauma patient.
As a Level I Trauma Center, Mercy Health - St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital has the resources necessary to care for the most seriously injured patients, whether due to a motor vehicle crash, fall, bicycle crash, sports injury, pedestrian injury or gunshot wound. When a trauma patient arrives in the emergency department, a team of more than 15 experts responds immediately. In addition to dedicated trauma surgeons, departments such as radiology/CT scan, blood bank/laboratory, anesthesia, respiratory, operating room and surgical intensive care unit are ready to respond at a moment's notice. Mercy Health - St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital also has a helipad on campus to accommodate air ambulance traffic.
In order to be recognized as a Trauma Center in Ohio, hospitals must comply with sections 4798.01 and 3727.101 of the Ohio Revised Code. American College of Surgeons (ACS) verified Trauma Centers must submit documentation of verification.
In addition to acute care responsibilities, Level I Trauma Centers have a major responsibility of providing leadership in education, research, and system planning. Mercy Health – St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital continues to develop the trauma program in clinical care, performance improvement, functional recovery, research and injury prevention.
St. Elizabeth remains the only Level 1 trauma center between Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Akron.
Research and Outreach
As a Level I Trauma Center, Mercy Health - St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital is actively involved in scientific research to continually improve the care it provides and is a leader in education, prevention, and outreach activities. Presentations are available to groups on
- injury prevention for the mature adult
- violence prevention
- firearm safety
- dangers of drinking and driving
SAVE (Safety and Violence Education) is a long-standing program developed and presented by Trauma Services at Mercy Health – St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital. The purpose is to expose high school aged children to a modern emergency department and trauma center. These students are often "at risk" due to environmental issues and/or criminal activity.
The emphasis of SAVE is to drive home that making the right choice can lessen the chances they will be victims of violence and trauma. The program takes participants through the emergency department, surgical (trauma) intensive care and the morgue. In each setting, participants can witness the outcome of making bad decisions and choices.
For more information on Mercy Health’s prevention programs, call Mercy Health - St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital at 330-480-8877.
For additional information on the Level I Trauma Center at Mercy Health - St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital call 330-480-4417.