NorthBay Trauma Center First to Earn Distinction

NorthBay Medical Center is the first hospital in Solano County to earn the prestigious verification of the American College of Surgeons as a Level II trauma center.

A Level II center comprises the expertise to care for most injured patients. Elements include 24-hour immediate coverage by general surgeons, as well as coverage by the specialties of orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, radiology and critical care.

“Verification from the well-respected American College of Surgeons is the gold standard that we have sought to reach since the beginning,” said Kathy Richerson, vice president and chief nursing officer, who was part of the initial planning of the trauma program nearly a decade ago. “This is an incredible accomplishment by a highly skilled, dedicated and talented team.”

Our program has elevated the quality and competence of care throughout our hospital. It raises the bar and makes our team better because of the additional training and experience everyone receives.

Two noted surgeons, Dr. Art Ney and Dr. Walter Biffl, conducted a rigorous examination of the NorthBay Trauma Center and its supporting departments during a spring visit. Their final report, issued in July, noted no deficiencies and highlighted 20 strengths of the program, including the “institutional support at the physician, nursing, and administrative levels for the trauma program with obvious esprit de corps.”

NorthBay Medical Center began providing trauma care in 2011. It was the first in Solano County to achieve ACS verification as a Level III trauma center in December 2012.

“NorthBay Healthcare’s plan was to develop the most comprehensive, most advanced trauma program we could, which meant achieving this national recognition,” explained Deborah Sugiyama, president of NorthBay Healthcare Group. “Everyone has been working hard to ensure all aspects of our program meet more than 200 Level II ACS standards.”

“While the county’s designated Level II trauma center is in Vacaville, NorthBay’s Fairfield hospital handles more than 60 percent of all local trauma cases, including some Level II patients,” according to Dr. J. Peter Zopfi, trauma medical director.

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