Trauma is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of significant disability. People who suffer trauma have better outcomes when they are treated in a trauma center.
Texas Health Fort Worth Announces Plans for New $57.7 Million Emergency Care Center
05/30/2012
FORT WORTH, Texas — Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth will begin construction on a new $57.7 million emergency care center that will better meet the growing needs of patients in the Fort Worth area.
The three-story, 75,000-square-foot emergency care center, planned for completion in fall 2013, will be one block south of the hospital’s current emergency department and will connect to the main hospital through a sky bridge. The new facility will nearly triple the square footage of the existing department and increase patient beds to 90 from the current 63. MORE
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Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth is a Level II Trauma Center, verified by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma and designated by the Texas Department of State Health Services. On average, Texas Health Fort Worth admits and treats more than 3,000 trauma patients each year. There is an ICU dedicated to the care of trauma patients, and an operating room that is reserved at all times for the treatment of this unique population.
The multidisciplinary trauma team at Texas Health Fort Worth includes respiratory therapists, physical therapists, chaplains, physicians, surgeons and anesthesiologists on the medical staff, nurses, radiology technicians, patient advocates, social workers, rehabilitation services, volunteer services, speech and occupational therapists, and many more. All staff involved with trauma care have advanced training.
Education
Texas Health Fort Worth offers trauma specific education to their employees and members of the medical staff such as Advanced Trauma Life Support for Physicians, Advanced Trauma Care for Nurses, Trauma Nurse Core Course, annual trauma conferences and more. Current topics are offered quarterly, including Trauma Talks, where speakers are brought in to discuss various trauma topics such as motor vehicle crashes, snakebites, victim impact stories and more. New nurses who want to work in the Trauma ICU at Texas Health Fort Worth must complete a residency program.
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The new emergency department is shown in this drawing, which may be updated or modified prior to construction.
Click photo to download hi-res image
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Prevention and Outreach
While some traumas happen by chance, others are completely preventable, definable and correctable. Historically, infectious disease was the leading cause of death and disability. This pattern has changed. Road traffic crashes are now a leading cause of death among young working-aged adults in nearly every country worldwide. Falls are a leading cause of death/disability among adults over the age of 65.
Texas Health Fort Worth reaches out to surrounding communities including high schools, churches, various organizations and professional associations to offer education on the prevention of trauma. Programs such as Shattered Dreams, a program offering exposure to a potential trauma involving high school students, are presented. A Matter of Balance is a strength and balancing program for those age 60 and older. It is a nationally recognized evidence-based program, offered as an eight-week class, several times a year. After all, improving the health in the communities we serve also includes injury prevention.
For more information about these programs, contact Deborah Nichols, R.N., trauma outreach and injury prevention coordinator, at 817-250-3338. |
