Posted by Sudbury Northern Life Reporter Laurel Myers
The Sudbury Regional Hospital is taking steps to have its institution accredited as a regional trauma centre.
At the February hospital board of directors meeting, Dr. Chris Bourdon, medical director of SRH emergency department, made a presentation to the board, following a recommendation from the Medical Advisory Committee for the SRH to pursue accreditation with the Trauma Association of Canada (TAC) as a level II trauma centre.
The primary goal of the accreditation program is to ensure optimal care and best outcomes for the trauma patient throughout Canada, the TAC website stated.
"We do things that are in a level II category, but we're not accredited as it stands, so we can't use that designation," Bourdon explained. "We aren't accredited but the services we provide most resemble the criteria used for level II accreditation."
There are five levels of trauma facilities, with level I being the highest. Level II trauma centres are typically established in areas without a Level I Centre, where the facility plays a central role in the regional trauma system, the TAC website stated. As a level II trauma centre, the hospital is expected to care for the most seriously injured in the system, provide trauma training and outreach programming.
Almost all of the Ontario lead trauma hospitals have gone through the accreditation process, except Sudbury, Thunder Bay and Kingston, Bourdon said.
"Sudbury is the lead trauma hospital for the North East LHIN," he said.
"Accreditation ensures the hospital's partners in the region, that it is capable and has the services in place, and the physician and staff expertise to provide that high-level trauma care."
In order to receive accreditation, the SRH was required to link itself with a level I centre. Bourdon said a link with St. Michael's hospital in Toronto is expected to be finalized within the next couple of months, at which time he anticipates the accreditation to be granted.
While additional funds will not flow into the hospital as a result of the accreditation, it will attract physicians who have an interest in trauma. As well, Bourdon said it hasto do with status amongst other trauma care providers.
"It allows us to speak a common language - we're a level II trauma centre and we can speak that language across Canada, and in fact, across North America, so it's a known commodity," he said.
As for the benefits, he said the accreditation provides an opportunity for the hospital to receive valuable feedback.
"Like all things in medicine, it's good to get feedback on how you're doing. This is a great avenue, although it's rigorous and it takes a lot of work for the program administrative end, it's a great learning experience, and it will hopefully help us improve and move toward good trauma care in the next five to ten years."
