Level II Trauma Center

Lafayette General Medical Center named Level II Trauma Center
Designation establishes LGMC as the region’s most prepared destination for trauma

LAFAYETTE, La. – The trauma program at Lafayette General Health’s flagship hospital, Lafayette General Medical Center (LGMC), has been verified as a Level II Trauma Center by the Verification Review Committee, an ad hoc committee of the Committee on Trauma of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). This achievement establishes LGMC as the region’s most prepared destination for trauma, as it provides the resources and staffing needed to handle major emergencies. LGMC met requirements for trauma program status with the Louisiana Emergency Response Network (LERN) in September 2015 and has worked toward the Level II Trauma Center designation for the last three years.

“When we began this process, our goal was to increase access and elevate the level of care and services we offer in the region. We expanded our resources and infrastructure to align our services with the national standard for trauma care,” said Lafayette General Health President David L. Callecod, FACHE.  “This Level II Trauma Center designation means we have the capacity and capability to provide the most advanced life-saving measures available in the region, and it further demonstrates Lafayette General Health’s commitment to Acadiana,” continued Callecod.

In addition to care for medical emergencies, such as a stroke or heart attack, LGMC’s Level II Trauma Center will also provide multidisciplinary, comprehensive services for the critically injured patients, including those from events such as falls, motor vehicle crashes and physical assaults. Injuries can include intra-abdominal organ injuries, traumatic brain injury, multiple bone fractures and gunshot wounds.

To give these patients the best chance for survival LGMC is required to have:

• 24/7 coverage by a trauma surgeon
• 24/7 access to specialty and critical care physicians
• 24/7 on-call neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons
• 24/7 on-site anesthesia provider, surgical services team and trauma trained nurses

Since the trauma program began in September of 2015, LGMC has seen 7,729 trauma patients. Since 2016, they’ve averaged 2,260 trauma patients per year.

“Lafayette General Medical Center has shown it has the resources immediately available to provide optimal care and improve the survival rate for injured patients. Verified trauma centers must be continuously prepared to treat the most serious life-threatening and disabling injuries,” said LGMC Trauma Medical Director Dennis J. Eschete, MD. “We consistently work to improve care and treatment that is centered on current evidence-based research and guidelines. Trauma is a quality program, and it exemplifies the work of our entire hospital,” continued Eschete.

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 in its current Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient manual.

The ACS Committee on Trauma's verification program does not designate trauma centers. Rather, the program provides confirmation that a trauma center has demonstrated its commitment to providing the highest quality trauma care for all injured patients. The actual establishment and the designation of trauma centers is the function of local, regional or state healthcare systems agencies. As such, LGMC has been designated a Level II Trauma Center by the Louisiana Department of Health.

Other Level II trauma centers in the state include Rapides Regional (Alexandria), Our Lady of the Lake (Baton Rouge) and North Oaks Medical Center (Hammond). New Orleans and Shreveport have the only two Level 1 trauma centers in Louisiana.