CentraCare - Benson Designated as Level 4 Trauma Hospital

The Minnesota Department of Health has designated CentraCare - Benson as a Level 4 Trauma hospital after team members voluntarily participated in the intense designation process to become part of Minnesota's statewide trauma system.

The designation process included an outside review of the hospital's resources and capabilities to care for trauma patients. CentraCare - Benson met standards of commitment, clinical and equipment resources and staff training. The hospital will also participate in a continuous performance improvement process, with designation reviewed every three years.

"In moments of crisis, we want our community to have access to the highest level of care," said Melissa McGinty-Thompson, President of CentraCare - Benson. "I am immensely proud of our team and their commitment to providing patients with lifesaving care. The designation as a Level 4 Trauma Hospital is a direct reflection of our team's dedication and hard work."

For a severely injured person, the time between sustaining an injury and receiving definitive care is the most important predictor of survival-the "golden hour." The chance of survival diminishes with time; however, a trauma system enhances the chance of survival regardless of proximity to an urban trauma hospital.

On average, trauma claims the lives of 4,300 Minnesotans annually. States with established trauma systems have seen survival rates increase by 15 to 20 percent. Minnesota began developing its comprehensive statewide trauma system in August 2005, and CentraCare - Melrose was among the first hospitals to receive a trauma designation in 2008.