Trauma Count Up Nearly 25% This Year at EIRMC

EIRMC’s Eighth Consecutive Year as a Level II Trauma Center

Idaho Falls, Idaho – In 2015, Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center has seen a staggering 24.2% increase in trauma patients compared to 2014. From January of this year, to September, EIRMC has treated 1,010 trauma patients. During this same time period last year, EIRMC saw 813 patients.

Typical traumas seen at EIRMC’s regional facility include: animal attacks, ATV accidents, and gunshot wounds. In 2014, motor vehicle accidents were the leading trauma seen at EIRMC followed by falls (from any height). Emergency trauma care is defined as care needed to save an individual’s life and prevent, or reduce, the risk for complications and disabilities.

EIRMC has been classified as a Level II Trauma Center for the last eight years.

An essential component of EIRMC’s Level II verification is 24-hour coverage by emergency medicine physicians, as well as the prompt activation of the EIRMC’s trauma team. The trauma team consists of surgeons, nurses, an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist, radiology technicians, and a family support professional (e.g., social worker, chaplain, or nurse).

In addition to providing back-up care for other rural and community hospitals in the region, EIRMC serves as the primary trauma center for western Wyoming and southern parts of Montana. This function of EIRMC’s Trauma Service is made possible by their 25 year relationship with Air Idaho.

Air Idaho and EIRMC have the ability to respond, transfer and treat patients faster with the help of two helicopters, based in Yellowstone National Park and Driggs, Idaho, and one fixed wing plane located at Idaho Falls Regional Airport.

Because of the large region ERIMC services, and the consistently high volumes, EIRMC is able to attract and keep an important mix of specialty physicians such as cardiothoracic surgeons, pediatric intensivists and neurosurgeons. These surgeons, made available by EIRMC’s proven trauma program, also benefit our non-trauma patients.

The standard for verification of Level II Trauma Centers, as defined by American College of Surgeons, increased in July of 2015. Level II verifications now mirror the rules and guidelines of a Level I Trauma Center in all areas except for research requirements and resident programs.