Our Lady of the Lake Trauma Center Earns Official Designation

Only certified trauma center in the Baton Rouge region

BATON ROUGE, La., Sept. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Our Lady of the Lake Trauma Center has earned official designation from the American College of Surgeons and the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals as a Level II Trauma Center. This verification makes the Lake's trauma center the only such center in the greater Baton Rouge region.

"Having a trauma center in Baton Rouge will mean patients with severe injuries will have a better chance of surviving and recovering. The intention of a designated Trauma Center is to minimize the time from an accident or disaster to the injured patient being taken care of. Time often referred to as the 'Golden Hour,' saves lives and more lives are saved in communities with a Trauma Center," said Tomas Jacome, MD, Chief Trauma Surgeon, Our Lady of the Lake.

Research by the American College of Surgeons says trauma patients who receive care at designated trauma centers have a decreased risk of death. In their study, researchers reviewed more than 1,300 patients with hypotensive penetrating trauma and blunt traumatic brain injuries. When they compared survival rates of patients treated in an emergency room to that of patients who received care in a trauma center, the American College of Surgeons researchers concluded, "The risk of death is considerably lower among patients requiring early operative intervention if they are treated at a designated trauma center."

Trauma centers are distinguished from an emergency room because the center brings together more healthcare disciplines that are available 24 hours a day. These include trauma surgeons, emergency care physicians, nurses and techs, respiratory therapists, laboratory technicians, a blood donor center and even pastoral care.

"Our Lady of the Lake has long had the infrastructure and resources in place to support trauma care in Baton Rouge. This official designation recognizes our dedication and ability to provide the highest level of care for the most critical cases," said Scott Wester, Chief Executive Officer, Our Lady of the Lake.

Established by the American College of Surgeons in 1987, the trauma center verification program ensures hospitals that develop trauma centers provide not only the hospital resources necessary for trauma care, but also the entire spectrum of care to address the needs of all injured patients. This spectrum encompasses the pre-hospital phase through the rehabilitation process.

Verified trauma centers must meet the essential criteria that ensure trauma care capability and institutional performance, as outlined by the American College of Surgeons' Committee on Trauma. Verification occurs only following an on-site review by a team of experienced site reviewers from the American College of Surgeons.

About the American College of Surgeons
The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational association of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical education and practice and to improve the care of the surgical patient. The College has over 72,000 members and it is the largest association of surgeons in the world. Longstanding achievements have placed the ACS in the forefront of American surgery and have made it an important advocate for all surgical patients.

About Our Lady of the Lake
Our Lady of the Lake, a private not-for-profit 700-bed medical center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is committed to building a healthy community through excellence in patient care and education. A part of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, Our Lady of the Lake includes a Regional Medical Center, dedicated Children's Hospital, 350-provider Physician Group primary care network, and free-standing emergency room in Livingston Parish. Consistently awarded for compassionate care, clinical expertise, leading edge technology and innovation, Our Lady of the Lake is recognized in the areas of trauma and emergency care, stroke, heart & vascular, cancer care and minimally-invasive procedures and more. Our Lady of the Lake is a primary teaching site for graduate medical education programs and serves 45,000 inpatients and 350,000 outpatients annually.  For more information, visit www.ololrmc.com.

SOURCE Our Lady of the Lake