Mercy Health – Lorain and The MetroHealth System Partner to Open Level III Trauma Center in Lorain County

The MetroHealth System and Mercy Health Lorain Hospital are partnering to bring a Level III Trauma Center to the residents of Lorain County. This is the first time that the more than 300,000 residents within the county’s limits have had access to trauma expertise in their home county.

The new trauma center will be located at Mercy Health Lorain Hospital on Kolbe Road and will be based upon MetroHealth’s nationally recognized trauma program. MetroHealth and Mercy Health Lorain will seek Level III Trauma Center verification from the American College of Surgeons. Upon approval, MetroHealth trauma surgeons will rotate at Mercy Health Lorain to provide 24/7 trauma care. In addition, a MetroHealth Medical Director and Trauma Coordinator will provide oversight for the day-to-day operations of the center. MetroHealth will provide training and education for Mercy Health Lorain nurses and other staff to build upon Mercy’s high-quality, compassionate care model for patients with traumatic injuries.

According to the American Trauma Society, 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.” Level III Trauma Centers include 24-hour immediate coverage by emergency medicine physicians and the prompt availability of general surgeons and anesthesiologists. More information about Level III Trauma Centers can be found here.

“This partnership will allow expert trauma care to be available for those living in Lorain County that has before, never been offered,” said Dr. Gil Palmer, Chief Medical Officer for Mercy Health – Lorain. “At Mercy, we are always looking at ways to adapt and respond to the needs of the families we serve. There was a gap in the county where a trauma program would fit and now, we have worked to bring one to life,” Palmer added.

“We are honored to expand our services to Lorain County and to provide trauma care at Mercy Health. This partnership will save lives and keep patients close to their families and loved ones as they recover,” said Bernard Boulanger, MD, executive vice president and chief clinical officer at MetroHealth.

MetroHealth’s air transport system, Metro Life Flight, has a Lorain County base and currently takes patients with the most severe traumatic injuries to MetroHealth’s Level I Adult Trauma Center in Cleveland. This coverage, when coupled with Mercy Health Lorain’s high-quality care delivery and expertly trained staff, allows people to access care world-class care right at home.

“This partnership is one of like-minded organizations,” added Dr. Palmer, “MetroHealth’s nationally recognized trauma program allows us at Mercy Health to enhance not only the level of care, but matches our nurses and physicians level of expertise.” He said.