As of November 1, 2017, Wayne Memorial Hospital will be a fully accredited Level IV Trauma Center. Accreditation from the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation was approved this month after an intense on-site survey in August. Level IV trauma centers are able to provide initial care and stabilization of traumatic injury—serious or critical bodily injury— while arranging transfer to a higher level of trauma care. Some of the most common traumatic injuries are caused by falls, motor vehicle crashes, burns and assaults.

Wayne Memorial CEO David Hoff called the accreditation a “win-win” for the hospital and the community.

“This accreditation means Wayne Memorial is now part of the System of Trauma Care throughout the state,” said Hoff, “meaning the transition of care for trauma patients will be efficient when time is of the essence. Like our cardiac catheterization laboratory which opened a year ago, this service will undoubtedly save lives.”

Pictured (l-r) are some of WMH's Trauma Team: Karen Novobilski, RN/ Performance Improvement; Patrick Pugliese, MD/Emergency Department Medical Director; CEO David Hoff; Team Leader Virginia Fries, MS, RN; Michele Churney, RN/Nurse Manager Emergency Department; James Pettinato, BSN, MHSA, CCRN-K RN/Director Patient Care Services; Jane Domaracki,MSN, RN/Patient Safety Manager.

According to the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation, timely treatment appropriate to the injury and prompt decision-making in care decisions are key to improved patient outcomes. Studies show that trauma protocols dramatically reduce the likelihood of death or permanent disability to trauma patients.

The trauma accreditation process was spearheaded by Virginia Fries, RN, who developed Wayne Memorial’s Trauma program, collected documentation, prepared and led clinical reviews, oversaw training and prepared many departments for collaboration efforts. “When a trauma patient arrives at Wayne Memorial, we have a protocol for immediate team activation,” said Fries. “Several departments, including our lab and radiology departments, are alerted that a

‘Trauma Alert’ has been activated and requires specific personnel to respond to the high-priority needs of the trauma patient.”

The hospital has been preparing for the trauma accreditation survey for more than a year, said Director of Patient Care Services James Pettinato, RN. Preparations included the construction of a helipad in 2016 less than a mile from the hospital. It is utilized by helicopter services from Geisinger, Commonwealth Health and Lehigh Valley.

“We are very pleased to be able to offer this level of care,” said Pettinato.

Legislation containing two proposals authored by Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna) to exempt certain temporary and seasonal ag-related structures from the Uniform Construction Code (UCC) has been cleared by the House on concurrence and is now on the way to the governor for his consideration.

As originally passed by the House earlier this spring, House Bill 176 would exempt roadside produce stands from the UCC, thereby giving farmers more flexibility in selling their homegrown products. The legislation was amended to now include Pickett’s House Bill 177, which also passed the House earlier this year, and would exempt maple sugar houses.

“These two exemptions are designed to bring clarity and common sense to the state’s building code,” said Pickett. “Both road-side farm stands and maple sugar houses are used seasonally and should not be subject to the strict code requirements set forth for commercial and residential buildings. Applying these structures to the building code serves no public safety purpose and just adds to the cost of produce and other agricultural products.”

Pickett’s House Bill 176 also contains an amendment by the Senate that would exempt structures used to load/unload or sort livestock at livestock auction facilities.

“Agriculture is one of Pennsylvania’s top industries, and government should be encouraging our farmers and ag producers, not adding to their regulatory burden,” Pickett said. “Applying burdensome, costly and unnecessary regulations to farm stands, maple sugar houses and livestock sorting structures, sets poor public policy, and I’m pleased this legislation seeks to correct this part of the law. I look forward to it being signed by the governor.”

Once the bill reaches the governor’s desk, he has 10 days to sign or veto it.