News Release Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10/2/2017 12:00:00 AM MOUNTAIN
Updated: 10/2/2017 9:49:47 PM MOUNTAIN
For more information, contact Karl Hertz.
Memorial Hospital Re-Designated as a Community Trauma Hospital

The Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) has re-designated Memorial Hospital of Converse County as a Community Trauma Hospital.  In a letter to CEO Ryan Smith, the Wyoming Trauma Program Manager wrote “Memorial Hospital of Converse County’s obvious commitment to the development of their trauma program is to be commended.  This designation award demonstrates your institution’s dedication to quality patient care for your community and the residents of Wyoming.”

In May of 2017, the WDH’s Trauma Program performed a focused trauma review at the Douglas hospital where they reviewed once more the programs current strengths and weaknesses and performed several trauma-focused chart reviews.  The Hospital was designated in 2003 as a Community Trauma Hospital, but this re-designation showcases the consistent and heightened attention the Emergency Department has paid to provide excellent trauma care for our community.  In the months leading up to the review, Memorial Hospital made several changes in how EMS and the Emergency Room work together to initiate traumas.  The hospital put into practice a new trauma notification system, and the trauma committee worked to improve policies.  

The biggest hurdle the hospital worked to overcome recently in the Emergency Department was the lack of privacy and a dated emergency department noted in previous site visits.  In July Memorial Hospital opened its newly renovated Emergency Department which addressed several facility issues previously cited by the Trauma Program.  The Emergency Department now has private bays, an isolation room with private bath, and an updated Trauma Room with improved workflow, lighting, and equipment.

“This is a really big deal,” said Chief Nursing Officer Cristy Cobb, MSN.  “Candace, Dr. White, Robynn and others worked really hard so that we could maintain our designation of Community Trauma Hospital.”  Dr. William White is a general surgeon at Memorial Hospital and the Trauma Medical Director.  His name, along with Program Manager Candace Heinen, RN who works in the Emergency Department and Robynn Scheehle, FNP who is the Director of Emergency Services at the hospital were complimented several times in the site review.  

In 1993 the Wyoming legislature passed W.S. 35-1-801 authorizing the creation of a statewide trauma system.  Since then many Wyoming Hospitals have worked towards one of four designations; Regional Trauma Center, Area Trauma Hospital, Community Trauma Hospital, and Trauma Receiving Facility.  “The renovations and additional training have not only maintained but improved how our team responds to trauma,” said Scheehle.  “We are so proud that we can as a team continuously work towards providing excellent and patient-centered trauma care in Converse County.”   

Please join our entire administration and healthcare community in recognizing our Emergency Department on this commendation from the Wyoming Department of Health.