Hartford Business Journal

www.HartfordBusiness.com • December 17, 2018 • Hartford Business Journal 21 SPONSORED CONTENT Continued > A traumatic injury is potentially one of the most life altering events a patient and their loved ones will experience. In those first few terrifying moments, life hangs in the balance and in the hands of first responders, EMS crews, nurses, physicians, and surgeons—those who understand that working alongside the best in the nation is imperative to achieving an optimal outcome for the patient and their family. No team understands and achieves this on a daily basis like the team that makes up the trauma program at Saint Francis Hospital, a member of Trinity Health Of New England. Recently verified by the ACS as a Level I Trauma Center, Saint Francis displays superiority in each of the trauma subspecialties and across their entire spectrum of care in order to address the needs of all critically injured patients. "Attaining Level I status is a true testament to the excellence of trauma care Saint Francis provides to our most critically injured patients each and every day," said Dr. John Rodis, president of Saint Francis Hospital. "The achievement validates that the work done by all the departments involved in treating a trauma patient is of the highest in national standards." The trauma program team at Saint Francis succeeds by taking on a multi- dimensional approach, one that includes providing optimal patient care, carrying out innovative research, and taking a leadership role at the regional, national and global levels. Excellence in care The care of a patient suffering traumatic injuries involves a collaboration in its truest form. Saint Francis trauma patients are cared for by a multitude of team members, including nursing staff in the emergency department, many of whom have advanced certifications in trauma care, the expert surgical team, members of the intensive care unit, and rehabilitation providers, including physical, occupational and speech therapists. "A trauma patient receives a full spectrum of care, which follows them from the time they enter our doors to the time they are fully recovered," said Dr. Gary J. Kaml, Director of Trauma Services. "A key element to the continuum of care is the comprehensive surgical team. Saint Francis' team of trauma surgeons are all board certified in surgical critical care and are on-site 24 hours a day, seven days a week." Working in conjunction with the trauma surgeons is a team of surgical sub-specialists who are also on the hospital grounds every hour of the day providing specialty care to a range of trauma patients. The team of surgical sub-specialists, includes orthopedic surgeons who treat patients with fractures and dislocations, neurological surgeons who care for patients with brain or spinal cord injuries, as well as surgeons who specialize in urology, plastic and reconstructive surgery, in particular maxillofacial surgeons who are able to care for patients with traumatic injuries to the bones in the face and jaw. "The comprehensive, world-class care provided to all Saint Francis patients is exemplified by the hospital's trauma program," said nurse Erin McLaughlin, trauma program manager. "The exceptional surgical care is supported by the plethora of non-surgical services critical to a successful outcome and best care of a trauma patient, from our team of anesthesiologists to the diagnostic radiologists as well as psychiatric care and a team of substance abuse and mental illness providers." The trauma patient's care is rounded out by the team of rehabilitation physicians, whose advanced training in post-acute care and restoration allows them to guide patients into the next steps of care and ultimately transition back into normal life and to their previous level of functionality. www.HartfordBusiness.com December 17, 2018 • Hartford Business Journal 25 Pictured above, Dr. Steven Wolf, Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine, speaks with members of his nursing staff in the Emergency Department's trauma room.

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