Cooper University Hospital’s trauma program has been re-verified as a Level 1 Trauma Center by the Verification Review Committee (VRC), an ad hoc committee of the Committee on Trauma (COT) of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). This achievement recognizes the trauma center’s dedication to providing optimal care for injured patients.
Cooper established its Level 1 Trauma Program 31 years ago and treats more than 3,000 trauma patients every year. Cooper’s Trauma team provides care for adult and pediatric patients, serving the eight southern counties of New Jersey. This includes direct admissions as well as transfers from all of the 22 hospitals in the southern half of New Jersey. Cooper is one of three Level 1 designated centers in the state.
“We have one of the busiest Trauma Centers in the region treating patients who have the most severe life threatening injuries,” said Steven E. Ross, MD, Medical Director of Cooper’s Trauma Center for the past 20 years. “Our team of surgeons, physicians, nurses and technicians work with medical specialists from all aspects of care to provide the best possible care for the victim of injury. The teamwork between all members of the trauma team is what allows us to provide top notch care to each patient.”
Established by the American College of Surgeons in 1987, the COT’s Consultation/Verification Program for Hospitals promotes the development of trauma centers in which participants provide not only the hospital resources necessary for trauma care, but also the entire spectrum of care to address the needs of all injured patients. This spectrum encompasses the pre-hospital phase through the rehabilitation process.
Verified trauma centers must meet the essential criteria that ensure trauma care capability and institutional performance, as outlined by the American College of Surgeons’ Committee on Trauma in its current Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient manual.