Sarasota Memorial gains Level II trauma center status

Sarasota Memorial Hospital has become the only Level II trauma center in Sarasota County, as the Florida Department of Health last week gave provisional approval to the hospital’s application for the distinction.

“In cases of trauma, every second counts – with this designation, we now can assure the people of our community that they can be treated right here, right away,” said Sarasota Memorial CEO David Verinder in a news release.

The hospital’s board of directors earlier this year earmarked $3.6 million to upgrade two trauma resuscitation rooms in its emergency room and its trauma operating site. SMH expects to receive 500 more trauma patients this year following the designation.

The state will now conduct an in-depth review of the hospital’s application and plans to conduct site surveys to assure SMH meets the standards of a Level II trauma center, according to an April 30 letter from Florida Department of Health Trauma System Administrator Susan Bulecza.

The hospital has been conducting high-pressure drills simulating gunshot and stabbing victims, and car accidents to prepare for the when SMH begins its upgraded trauma operations.

The specialized trauma team will have staff available 24 hours a day, and the center will cost about $10 million to operate per year for the first five years. 

SMH joins Bradenton’s Blake Medical Center as the only Level II trauma center join the region, and 16 others statewide.

“We felt that Sarasota Memorial Hospital has the means, we have the specialists and the staffing,” said SMH Chief of Staff Dr. James Fiorica during a February board meeting. “We feel we should do it.”