New signs have been popping up across Richmond University Medical Center. That's because staff there want to make it known that RUMC's Trauma Center is the only facility in New York City to receive the highest mark from a national surgeon's organization.
"It's an exciting statement about the high-quality services that we provide," said CEO Dan Messina.
The American College of Surgeons recently accredited RUMC as a level 1 trauma center for adults and level 2 for pediatrics.
That means the hospital is able to treat a broad range of life-threatening injuries resulting from car accidents, gunshot wounds and falls.
Staff say just a few years ago, some patients with these types of injuries were transferred to another hospital.
"Even complex pelvis fractures we are able to manage now because we have people on staff that can help us with that," said Trauma Medical Director Dr. Akalla Chendrasekhar.
Officials say about 1,500 patients use the trauma center every year, and the hospital is operating at nearly triple its capacity. Right now, RUMC has just one trauma bay, but that will change. Construction on a new emergency department is expected to begin early next year.
"It's going to be four large trauma bays to be sufficient for the population of patients that we deal with, and especially dealing with potential mass casualty incidents," said Trauma Program Nursing Director Christopher Ruiz.
RUMC also has a variety of programs aimed to prevent injuries. Staff members say they go out into different communities and also work with elected officials.
"If it's dealing with pedestrians being struck or car accidents, we can see if that is happening in one general area. Maybe there needs to be a traffic light or stop sign that is not there, and we can institute that process," Ruiz said.
Construction on the new trauma center is expected to be complete in 2019.