Gaston Memorial Hospital Earns Level III Trauma Center Designation

GASTONIA, N.C., Feb. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Gaston Memorial Hospital, the flagship of CaroMont Health, in Gastonia, North Carolina (NC) is officially a Level III Trauma Center. The NC Office of Emergency Medical Services formally declared this designation at their quarterly Advisory Meeting in Raleigh on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012. CaroMont Health representatives attending the meeting included, Randy Kelley, CaroMont Health President and CEO; Jerry Levine, M.D., Executive Vice President; Chief Medical Officer, Anthony Raspanti, M.D., Trauma and Critical Care; Kathleen Besson, Vice President, Clinical Operations; Angel Ross, RN, Trauma Coordinator; and Lisa Parker, Trauma Registrar.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120221/DC56368)

"CaroMont Health is committed to continually expanding and improving the services we offer to our community. Our designation acknowledges the comprehensive trauma care now available at Gaston Memorial that will improve outcomes and save the lives of our family and neighbors experiencing traumatic injury," stated Kathleen Besson, Vice President, Clinical Operations.

Emergencies are not something people prepare for, but for four years, Gaston Memorial Hospital has been focused on the goal of receiving Level III Trauma Center Designation. Since 2008, medical experts conducted more than 1000 hours of trauma education. Five specialty trained surgeons have joined the medical staff. During this time, nearly 8000 lives affected by trauma have been treated at Gaston Memorial Hospital.

Only three other NC hospitals have Level III Trauma.

"We anticipate many years of partnering to strengthen the life line that is the NC Trauma System and look forward to continuing to do what we do best, save lives," said Angel Ross, RN and Trauma Coordinator. "We also want to recognize our prehospital colleagues at Gaston County Emergency Medical Service for their partnership and contributions to excellent trauma care in our community."

CaroMont Health Trauma Services capabilities includes 24 hours, 7 days a week readiness to stabilize, resuscitate and provide life saving interventions. Trauma is the leading cause of death for all persons through age 40. Recent studies show that access to trauma center care decreases the likelihood of death by nearly forty percent.

About CaroMont Health
As your locally focused, nationally honored health partner, CaroMont Health is promoting a more vibrant community through individual health care. To do this, we've created a network of top resources across five counties, all centered on a state-of-the-art, 435-bed hospital that's ranked among the best in the nation. It's a spectrum of health services that's just the right size to deliver high-quality, individualized care that has been recognized by the following experts:

• CareChex rating service: First in the nation for medical excellence for overall care
• Region's only Hospital to receive North Carolina's Award for Performance Excellence (Baldrige)
• Joint Commission: Top Performer on Key Quality Measures for heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia and surgical care.

So get to know CaroMont, and let's begin a healthy relationship.

Contact:
Olena Scarboro
CaroMont Health
(704) 834-2080

SOURCE CaroMont Health Gaston Memorial Hospital