CHARLOTTE, MI – For the first time, Sparrow Eaton Hospital has been designated as a Level IV Trauma Center, reflecting its expertise in providing advanced trauma life support prior to transferring patients to a higher-level trauma center.
The designation from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reflects years of work by Sparrow Eaton to provide the next level of quality care to patients.
“I am ecstatic to celebrate this milestone achievement of our Level IV Trauma Center designation as it reflects our unwavering dedication to ensuring the highest standards of emergency care for our patients and the rural communities we serve” said Rachel Latunski, Sparrow Eaton Hospital emergency services manager.
Most Level IV trauma centers are in rural areas, supplementing care within a larger trauma system. Level IV facilities provide initial evaluation, assessment and stabilization of trauma patients and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With trauma being the leading cause of death in the United States for those up to age 45, the designation validates that Sparrow Eaton is skilled to provide advanced levels of care, including stabilization of seriously injured patients who need to be transferred to a large trauma center. E.W. Sparrow Hospital in Lansing is the region’s only Level 1 Trauma Center.
To achieve the designation, hospitals must complete a rigorous application process, including relationships with local EMS – including our own Eaton Area EMS -- disaster protocols, access to surgical care, transfer agreements for patients needing more comprehensive care, involvement in prevention and outreach programs in the community, an onsite visit from surveyors, and more.
“This designation highlights our ability to respond quickly and effectively to trauma cases in our community, providing care that can make a significant difference in patient outcomes,” said Tiffany Friar, RN, DNP, MBA, RHCNOC, Sparrow Eaton and Sparrow Ionia Hospitals chief nursing officer.
For more information about Sparrow Eaton, visit Sparrow.org/Eaton.
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Sparrow is Mid-Michigan’s premier healthcare organization and includes hospitals in Lansing, Carson City, Charlotte, Ionia, and St. Johns, as well as Sparrow Specialty Hospital, Physicians Health Plan, Sparrow Care Network, Sparrow Medical Group, and the Michigan Athletic Club. Sparrow is affiliated with Michigan Medicine through the Sparrow Children’s Center and with Michigan State University’s three human health colleges. Through these partnerships and the dedication of our 10,000 Caregivers, Sparrow pursues a vision to be nationally recognized as a leader in quality and Patient experience. As a not-for-profit healthcare system, charitable support from individuals, corporations, and organizations to the Sparrow Foundation provides vital funding for the programs we deliver to strengthen our regions health and wellness. For more information, visit sparrow.org.
