Accreditation Verifies Center’s Commitment to Excellence
Friday, February 11, 2011
In fall 2010, Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) in Minneapolis, MN, received accreditation as a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center through the American College of Surgeons.
Photo: Andrew W. Kiragu, M.D., FAAP, Medical Director of the pediatric intensive care unit at Hennepin County Medical Center. Photo courtesy of Hennepin County Medical Center
Hennepin County Medical Center was the first facility in Minnesota to receive accreditation for adult and pediatric trauma services, having been accredited as a Level I Trauma Center for both adult and pediatric care since 1989. Due to recent changes in the verification process, HCMC is pleased to have obtained separate pediatric accreditation.
The Highest Level of Care
“Hennepin County Medical Center has the resources available to provide surgical and critical care for children suffering from all types of traumatic injury,” says Andrew Kiragu, M.D., FAAP, Medical Director of the pediatric intensive care unit and Co-Medical Director of the Pediatric Brain Injury Program at HCMC. “Most frequently, we treat traumatic brain injuries, but we also care for a wide variety of orthopedic trauma and internal injuries, including trauma to the spleen, liver and bowel.”
Through the Level I Pediatric Trauma Center, children have access to a multidisciplinary group of clinicians that includes surgeons, intensivists, dietitians, pharmacists and occupational, speech and physical therapists.
“From the tiniest of neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit to adolescent patients and older teenagers, we provide a full range of patient-centered, high-quality services for children and their families,” says Dr. Kiragu.
One of the distinguishing factors of pediatric care at HCMC is the Pediatric Brain Injury Program, which has been in existence for the past 21 years. Through this program, multidisciplinary care is provided to children who have suffered from a traumatic brain injury.
HCMC was the first acute-care hospital in Minnesota to publish return-to-school guidelines for children who have experienced a traumatic brain injury. The Pediatric Brain Injury Program works closely with both the Brain Injury Association of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Health as they provide case management and resource facilitation for these children and their families.
A Community Resource
Accreditation through the American College of Surgeons spans more than just clinical care. Many accredited facilities, including HCMC, are involved with research as well as community outreach.
Currently, the medical center is involved in several ongoing clinical research projects, including the use of hypertonic saline solution in the management of increased intracranial pressure. Researchers are also reviewing cases where children have had an emergency thoracotomy to examine best practices. Upcoming clinical studies include evaluating sleep patterns in children with traumatic brain injuries.
Dr. Kiragu is also involved with the Injury Free Coalition for Kids and serves as the principal investigator for IFCK-Minneapolis. Through this organization, research in the area of injury prevention is being conducted to identify which preventive measures are most effective. Injury prevention education and driving behaviors in teens are among several topics currently being investigated. The Injury Free Coalition for Kids has worked with other groups including AAA Minnesota to provide the Minnesota Legislature with information useful in improving traffic safety laws.
For more information about the Pediatric Level I Trauma Center at Hennepin County Medical Center, visit www.hcmc.org.
MD News February 2011, Twin Cities