CoxHealth's Trauma Center Officially Designated as a Level I Trauma Center

CoxHealth announced Tuesday that the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has designated CoxHealth’s trauma center as a level 1 trauma center. A level 1 trauma center is the highest designation available in Missouri, meaning CoxHealth is able to care for trauma patients of all ages and with the severest injuries.

Dr. John Duff, the Chief Hospital Officer at CoxHealth, says the hospital has been operating as a Level 1 Trauma Center since April of 2012. The state designated CoxHealth as a level 1 trauma center after extensive reviews of the center in late September. These in-depth site visits included tours of all hospital areas related to trauma, analysis of patient charts and outcomes, and evaluations of CoxHealth’s injury prevention and outreach education programs.

 “This designation reflects the fact that the state has come in and they reviewed our processes, our skill sets, our facilities, and they agree with us that the quality of care and our capabilities meet the level 1 designation,” Duff said.

Dr. Tim Woods is the Trauma Medical Director at CoxHealth. He says one major component that distinguishes a level 1 trauma center from a level 2 center is ongoing trauma research.

 “We have dedicated to continuing our efforts in research, to grow research, because it helps with the future care of trauma patients. That’s one thing that the state is striving to get is more research that is state directed that we can help our trauma patients when it’s all said and done,” Woods said.

CoxHealth treats around 2,400 trauma patients each year from Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.