UMC seeks area’s pediatric trauma center designation
University Medical Center has received preliminary authorization to act as the area's first and only Level II pediatric trauma center.
The Southern Nevada Health District board of health gave the approval to UMC, which now must apply and receive approval from the state's Health Division. The division is tasked with designating trauma centers in Nevada.
Currently, there isn't a designated pediatric trauma center in Southern Nevada, said Mary Ellen Britt, the area's regional trauma coordinator. And, Las Vegas is one of only three U.S. metropolitan areas without a designated pediatric trauma unit.
The closest pediatric trauma center is Children's Hospital of Los Angeles.
Although each of Southern Nevada's three designated trauma centers, UMC, Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, and St. Rose Dominican Hospitals Siena Campus, treat trauma patients of all ages, none are specific to pediatrics, Britt said.
"All we're really seeking is recognition for work we're already doing,'' said Dr. John Fildes, director of trauma services at UMC.
Fildes and Britt said UMC possesses all of the requirements for the designation.
Fildes said UMC has a pediatric emergency department with 21 beds, a 14-bed pediatric intensive care unit and 29 pediatric medical and surgical beds.
The hospital's traumatic resuscitation unit also has two beds dedicated to pediatrics.
Additionally, UMC has physicians who are trained in pediatric radiology, pediatric pathology, pediatric critical care medicine, pediatric neurosurgery, pediatric orthopedics, pediatric rehabilitation and pediatric anesthesia. UMC's pediatric patients also have access to child life specialists, social workers and case managers.
Even though UMC is asking for this designation, its request does not include expanding its pediatric trauma service area, Britt said.
