Natividad Medical Center treating trauma patients in Monterey County
Natividad Medical Center is now acting as a trauma center in Monterey County, but it still doesn’t have an official level-two designation. For the last year, Natividad has been working toward becoming a level-two trauma center – and now in this phase of the process, medical personnel are putting those skills to the test.
As of Monday, trauma patients in Monterey County will be taken to Natividad Medical Center for treatment. That decision was made in September after an independent review deemedthe medical centercapable of treating those patients. That means no more trips to Bay Area trauma centers, unless it’s a pediatric or burn case.
“We’re reviewing every patient that meets the trauma criteria that Natividad is treating, and we’re using that data for a final review that will occur in December,” said Kirk Schmitt, Emergency Medical Services Agency director.
Schmitt said after the final review, an independent medical board will make the decision whether to designate Natividad as a level-two trauma center. The patients’ treatment at the hospital will be evaluated.
“These approximate two months of data gathering will help us in the final independent review panel that come in and make a final recommendation to the EMS Agency,” said Schmitt.
Prior to the official level-two designation, only paramedics working for EMS will bring trauma patients to Natividad.
“If they meet the criteria as a trauma patient, they[paramedics]are directed to take the patient to Natividad, who’s fully capable of treating them.”
At this point, other hospitals in the area have the right to fly patients they deem as trauma to the Bay Area if they prefer, but only while Natividad is still under review. If Natividad Medical Center gets a positive review in December, the hospital could get official level-two trauma designation by January.
