Backspin wants to congratulate our healthspin contributors at North Oaks Health System on the new distinction as a Level II trauma center . We appreciate the golfcentered health information North Oaks has provided for our readers .
II Trauma Center in the Louisiana Emergency Response Network ’ s ( LERN ) Region 9 , comprised of Tangipahoa , Livingston , St . Helena , St . Tammany and Washington parishes , and one of only five trauma centers in the state .
LERN encouraged North Oaks to become a Level II center , remarks LERN Executive Director Paige Hargrove , so victims with traumatic injuries wouldn ’ t have to be transferred out of the region to Baton Rouge or New Orleans .
“ Accessing quality trauma care close to home is better for patients and their families ,” Hargrove observes . “ We can now all say with great pride that North Oaks offers the communities it serves – 24 hours a day , seven days a week , 365 day a year – the best trauma resources in the region .”
Car crash victim Carl Dennis , 25 , of Mandeville credits the trauma team for saving his life . After being hit by a drunken driver headed the wrong way on Interstate 55 at Interstate 12 , his injuries included a collapsed lung and several bone fractures . It was critical that he get needed care without delay .
“ A key to saving the lives of trauma victims is getting them the care they need within the first 60 minutes , known as the ‘ Golden Hour ,’”
notes Juan Duchesne , MD , FACS , FCCP , FCCM , North Oaks Shock Trauma Center Medical Director . “ Countless medical studies have proven that this nationally recognized best practice in trauma medicine greatly improves a patient ’ s chances of survival and his or her overall outcomes .”
A Level II trauma center is able to initiate immediate , lifesaving care for all injured patients . This includes 24-hour immediate coverage provided by 27 emergency department physicians , six trauma / critical care-trained surgeons and four mid-level providers with assistance from specialists in orthopedic surgery , neurosurgery , anesthesiology , radiology , ophthalmology and ENT ( ear , nose and throat ). The trauma service line is also supported by 350 nurses who staff the emergency department , operating room , post-anesthesia recovery unit , surgical intensive care unit , surgery unit and orthopedic-neurosurgery unit .
North Oaks ’ respiratory therapists , rehabilitation professionals , laboratory , environmental services , case managers , patient services , patient transport and pastoral care ministers also assist the Shock Trauma Center in patient and family support . Community partners , including Acadian Ambulance Services and the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency , also play an important role in the trauma program .
Duchesne works alongside a highly specialized team that includes : Trauma Surgeons Mar-
Michele Kidd Sutton receives the LERN designation award from LERN Executive Director Paige Hargrove and LERN Chairman of the Board Will Freeman , MD .