Florida Names Delray Medical Level I Trauma Center
Following the completion of the last phase of the state’s Level I Trauma Center approval process, Delray Medica lCenter began operating as a Level 1 Trauma Center on Jan. 1. This is the highest level trauma service designated by the Florida Department of Health and elevates Delray Medical Center to a select group of trauma research centers in the state.
“Delray Medical Center is dedicated to ensuring its trauma services meet the highest standard of care,” said Chief Executive Officer Mark Bryan. “This designation represents the culmination of our efforts and our commitment by the skilled team of physicians and staff at Delray Medical Center. We are proud to provide the community with the highest level of trauma care in Palm Beach County.”
Delray Medical Center is one of 22 verified trauma centers in Florida, and will be one of only four Level 1 Trauma Centers in South Florida. Under circumstances when transfer time is critical to trauma patients due to the life threatening nature of the injuries, Delray Medical Center is now the Level 1 Trauma Center most readily accessible to the residents of Palm Beach County.
After years of experience as a Level II Trauma Center, the Level 1 Trauma Center status reflects that Delray Medical Center meets strict additional requirements which include pediatric trauma patient care services that are separate and distinct from adult trauma patient care services, adult and pediatric trauma intensive care units and cardiac surgery.
In addition, one of the major responsibilities Delray Medical Center has as a Level 1 trauma center is to continually expand the body of knowledge in the field of trauma through clinical and basic research programs, apply this new knowledge to the treatment of the injured patient, and disseminate the knowledge throughout the medical community.
For the past six years, Delray Medical Center has been ranked one of Healthgrades America’s 50 Best Hospitals, as well as being a recipient of the Healthgrades Critical Care Excellence Award for the past two years. Delray Medical Center was also named one of Healthgrades 100 Best Hospitals for General Surgery for two consecutive years.
For over 30 years, Delray Medical Center, a 493-bed acute care hospital, has served SouthPalm Beach County. As both a community hospital and Provisional Level I Trauma Center located on a 42-acre medical plaza, Delray Medical Center has the ability to offer several specialized services including cardiac care, orthopedics, rehabilitation, neurosciences and emergency care, among others.
