Important Changes for EMS Relating to Pediatric Trauma and Medical Transport
Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Catholic Healthcare West (CHW) have executed a definitive agreement that will unite their respective pediatric programs within Maricopa County with services centralized at the Phoenix Children’s campus. CHW is the parent company of St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Chandler Regional Medical Center and Mercy Gilbert Medical Center.
When the alliance closes, slated for May 31, 2011, most pediatric physician sub-specialists and other pediatric staff will transition employment from CHW/St. Joseph’s to Phoenix Children’s. The timing coincides with the opening of Phoenix Children’s new 11-story tower, on June 1, 2011.
Under the agreement, beginning June 1, 2011:
- EMS personnel will be asked to send trauma patients under the age of 15 to Phoenix Children’s ACS-Verified Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center
- Medical cases brought to St. Joseph’s Hospital requiring pediatric specialist evaluation or admission will require a secondary transport to Phoenix Children's Hospital
- All CHW Arizona facilities will continue to serve patients age 15 and older
Phoenix Children’s Hospital’s Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center, located at the Thomas Road exit of State Route 51, is well-equipped to treat the pediatric trauma population.
- Phoenix Children’s is the only ACS-verified level 1pediatric trauma center in Arizona and one of only 31 in the nation, making it the closest appropriate facility for Arizona pediatric trauma patients.
- Studies indicate that children cared for at an ACS-verified trauma center have a lower mortality rate and shorter lengths of stay compared to children cared for at non-verified centers.
- Verified level 1 pediatric trauma centers have 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week specialist coverage, in-house trauma surgeons, anesthesiologists, emergency medicine physicians, and pediatric intensivists, constant assessment of care, education of care providers, and extensive community education including programs in injury and child abuse prevention.
- In 2010 alone, Phoenix Children’s Hospital cared for more than 1,400 trauma patients. Twenty-four percent of those patients lived outside Maricopa County.
For more information about the Strategic Alliance between CHW/St. Joseph’s and Phoenix Children’s, please visit http://www.phoenixchildrens.com/about/spotlight-stories/strategic-alliance/.
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Media Contact:
Jane Walton
602-546-5871
