SMH board approves level two trauma center

The Sarasota Memorial Hospital Board of Directors took the next step toward establishing the county’s only trauma center Tuesday.

With a unanimous vote, the board approved spending $3.6 million to create a level two trauma center, which the board’s Mission and Planning Committee approved earlier this month.

“We felt that Sarasota Memorial Hospital has the means, we have the specialists and the staffing,” said Dr. James Fiorica, chief of staff. “We feel we should do it.”

Having a designated trauma center allocates hospital resources specifically toward trauma operations, said Kim Savage, spokeswoman for Sarasota Memorial. The hospital already hired three trauma surgeons and is in the process of acquiring local specialists and other staff needed. The center will also get upgraded equipment and two designated ER rooms for trauma victims.

The specialized trauma team will be staffed 24 hours a day.

The center will cost about $10 million to operate per year for the first five years.

The trauma center requires state approval. The hospital will submit its application April 1, and the state could approve the center as early as May. The hospital is preparing the center so it can open once approved.

The trauma center will be included in Sarasota Memorial’s mission services, which also includes its mother and baby care, pediatrics, neonatal care and psychiatric care. These services are essential services that the hospital provides to anyone, including those who have Medicaid or no medical insurance, Savage said.

The closest hospitals with trauma centers are Blake Medical Center, which is also a level two, and Tampa General Hospital, which is level one. Level one, a higher designation, includes more specialized services such as burn victim care.

“We’re so pleased we’ll be able to do this for our county,” said Marguerite Malone, board chairwoman.