The MUSC trauma program has been verified as a Level 1 Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons (ACS). MUSC is the only hospital in the state of South Carolina that has qualified for this.
To achieve this status, the hospital had to meet hundreds of demanding criteria and go through an extensive on-site review by team of ACS surgeons. Not only was MUSC able to meet these challenges, the surveyors did not find one deficiency in their review.
What does this mean for patients? According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, patients treated at Level 1 trauma centers fare significantly better than those with comparable injuries who are treated at non-trauma centers. Findings showed Level 1 trauma centers can lower the risk of death for severely injured patients by 25 percent.
MUSC’s trauma team is staffed around the clock, led by a trauma surgeon with board certification in both surgery and surgical critical care, and a team of highly trained personnel from the emergency room, operating room, intensive care, radiology, blood bank and respiratory therapy. Physicians from more than 10 specialties are all immediately available. MUSC treats approximately 2,100 trauma patients each year and participates in trauma-related research, community outreach and education, and injury prevention activities.
“MUSC is prepared 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to offer immediate care for life and limb-threatening injuries,” said Bruce Crookes, MD, MUSC associate professor and trauma medical director. “We provide trauma patients with instant access to the most advanced technology, surgical suites and critical care services, which can make all the difference in saving lives and decreasing disabilities.”
Read more from a recent Post & Courier article
Watch a video about the MUSC MEDUCARE program.
