The countdown has started. This week I turned 39 and nine days later I hope to receive a belated birthday present from Solano County - the status of Level III Trauma Center for NorthBay Medical Center.
It's a busy week. The Joint Commission, which gives accreditation to healthcare organizations, is here examining our hospitals' clinical laboratories. At the same time, our full-court press is on to prepare for our trauma designation visit.
And, we're already preparing for our Chest Pain Center's re-accreditation survey while work continues for our Stroke Center's first accreditation survey.
It is an exciting time for NorthBay, Solano County residents, and Emergency/Trauma Services.
I have been in the spotlight more than I like lately, but it seems as though people can't get enough information about trauma services. I am incredibly proud of the work the trauma leadership team (Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President Kathy Richerson, Trauma Director Heather Venezio, Co-Trauma Director Donna Nayduch, Trauma Medical Director and Chief of Surgery Pete Zopfi, Emergency Department Director Seth Kaufman, Trauma Registrar Jackie Nelson ... the list goes on) has done.
Although I have been the spokesman at the microphone and in front of the camera (my grandpa used to tell me I had a face for radio), don't be fooled. Trauma is a team sport and no one can go it alone.
Basically it goes like this - There is no "I" in Trauma. The delicate dance of being successful at trauma care is assigning the right resources to a patient's injuries in the fastest time possible.
Previously in Solano County, much of the golden hour (the hour after an injury) was spent in transit for most patients.
Designation as a trauma center will mean patients won't have to be taken on long trips out of county. If you are injured in Solano County, you will be treated at NorthBay Medical Center with a few exceptions (that require transfer to a Level II or higher facility).
