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2 Austin hospitals receive Level 1 trauma designations

Thursday, August 27, 2009
News 8 Austin

Two Austin hospitals are getting new designations meaning both will offer the highest level of trauma care and services.

Dell Children's Medical Center and the University Medical Center Brackenridge Thursday received Level 1 trauma center designations.

Formerly, Austin was the largest city in the country without a Level 1 trauma center. In Texas, there are just 12 Level 1 trauma centers and three pediatric Level 1 trauma centers.

The difference between a Level 1 and a Level 2 trauma center is that Level 1 centers boast better survival rates, more research, a 24-7 on-call staff and invest more in new technologies.
    
Many in Austin are speculating the possibility of a medical school coming to the capital city. For months, News 8's been told the reason there isn't a medical school in town is because there wasn't a Level 1 trauma-certified hospital that needs to be attached to that school. Now, many are wondering if that will change.

Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, said a Level 1 center increases the possibility of recruiting more top-notch medical professionals.

"These facilities already have made a difference from the standpoint of education and advocacy," he said. "In the last session of the Legislature, the members of the Legislature got to see a lot of folks from the members of this group."

Another interesting fact discussed at the Level 1 announcement were the Top 3 adult trauma incidents in Central Texas: car crashes, falls and motorcycle crashes.

Until now, the only Central Texas hospital with the Level 1 designation has been Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple.