University Hospital Level 1 Trauma Center Receives Perfect Score During Review

Dear,

Central Missouri is fortunate to have a trauma center capable of caring for all types of injuries, and we are proud that it is based right here at the University of Missouri. There are four trauma center categories, and a Level I center provides the highest level of care with immediately available comprehensive physician and support services.

MU Health Care’s Mitchell Trauma Center is one of only six adult Level I trauma centers in Missouri verified by the American College of Surgeons’ Committee on Trauma, and the only one outside of the Kansas City and St. Louis regions.

To retain our Level I verification, we undergo a two-day, comprehensive review every three years. Dr. Steve Barnes, the Hugh E. Stephenson Chair of the Department of Surgery shared with me that program staff compiled over 3,800 pages of material to demonstrate compliance with 110 standards involving facilities, personnel, patient care expectations, and performance improvement. There were no deficiencies... a perfect score! In fact, this is the second re-verification survey in a row with no deficiencies.

Maintaining a Level I trauma center verification requires tremendous resources. We must support robust programs in trauma surgery, orthopedic trauma surgery and neurosurgery. During our most recent review, the surveyors were particularly impressed with MU Health Care’s staff of nine neurosurgeons, an all-time high! Other essential components of a strong Level I trauma center include an outstanding emergency department, operating room, and rehabilitation services.

I want to congratulate our trauma medical director Dr. Jeffrey Coughenour, trauma program manager Mallory Clatterbuck, and the many surgeons, physicians, and staff that allow us to provide the highest level of medical care to patients at their greatest time of need.

University Hospital’s renewed Level I trauma center verification demonstrates MU Health Care’s unwavering commitment to the highest standards of quality, patient-centered, outcome-focused trauma care.

Sincerely,