The Ontario Ministry of Health has identified the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) as a Level III Trauma Centre, announced Tuesday morning.
The recognition came on the recommendation of the Regional Trauma Network (RTN) in consultation with Critical Care Services of Ontario (CCSO).
After being identified with he new title, PRHC’s new trauma team has been working closely with programs and departments across the hospital to develop a trauma site model that encompasses team and policy development, quality assurance, community outreach and education, data collection, and a continuing medical education component – in addition to offering direct trauma care to patients according to a press release.
“Becoming an active member of the Regional Trauma Network is exciting news for PRHC,” says Dr. Troy Tebbenham, PHRC medical director of the trauma program. “This means that our team will help to drive improvements in trauma patient care – not only locally at our regional hospital but at the provincial level as well – with a focus on creating a best-in-class trauma system that reduces death and disability related to injury.”
A significant element of its trauma program’s establishment involves community education as stated by the PRHC. The trauma team has been providing seasonal injury prevention and safety tips across the hospital’s social media channels and has launched a community education program called ‘Stop the Bleed.’ This international program provides community members with the skills and basic tools tho stop uncontrolled bleeding in an emergency.
PRHC’s trauma team will work closely with Peterborough County-City Paramedics, Peterborough Police Service and Peterborough Fire Services to continue to educate and implement programs within local school boards, businesses and the general community to decrease the incidence of trauma events for the year ahead.