Forbes Hospital Receives Level 2 Trauma Center Accreditation
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - When it comes to trauma patients, getting to a hospital fast is critical and every minute counts.
Soon, patients will have another option to get care.
Forbes Hospital was just granted level two trauma center accreditation.
Forbes Hospital in Monroeville has been providing care to people in the eastern suburbs for 35 years.
"Trauma is very time-sensitive and there is a golden hour of trauma that if the patient doesn't reach the right hospital in that period of time, they have a higher chance of dying," Medical Director Dr. Chris Kaufmann said.
First responders will be able to transport critical patients right to Forbes, rather than driving all the way into the city to another trauma center.
There are only 30 other trauma centers in the entire state.
In Allegheny County, the list includes:
- Allegheny General
- UPMC Mercy
- UPMC Presbyterian
- UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
At certain times, a trip from Monroeville or a town farther east to another center can easily take an hour. It's time that may mean the difference between life and death.
"Taking an hour during rush hour, may permit someone to bleed to death, instead of going to a hospital where they can stop the bleeding, where there is an operating room available 24/7, where there is a surgeon 24/7," Kaufmann said.
Forbes has been working to achieve this status for the past four years. The brought in new equipment like what you see in this room. They are also training doctors and nurses to deal with the most serious, life-threatening injuries.
"We certainly have a lot of school-aged folks and we have young families and trauma is the leading cause of death up until the age of 44 in this country," Kaufmann said.
Forbes will begin operating as a trauma center on Oct. 1.
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