IONIA, MI – University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Ionia has been redesignated as a Level IV Trauma Center, reflecting the level of expertise in providing crucial care to patients in the emergency department.
The designation from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is valid through August 2027. UM Health-Sparrow Ionia received its first Level IV certification in 2019. Most Level IV trauma centers are in rural areas, supplementing care within a larger trauma system. Level IV facilities are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and provide initial evaluation, stabilization and diagnostic capabilities for injured patients who need to be transferred to a higher-level trauma center for care.
“Achieving this designation demonstrates how our hospital excels at caring for trauma patients of all types and has the staff, equipment and expertise necessary to treat the various types of traumatic injuries we encounter in our community,” said Tara Lanz, MSN, RN, emergency department manager at UM Health-Sparrow Ionia.
The designation involves rigorous standards, comprehensive training and the implementation of state-of-the-art protocols to ensure emergency departments are well-equipped to handle a wide range of traumatic injuries. Elements reviewed include relationships with local EMS, disaster protocols, access to surgical care, transfer agreements for patients needing more comprehensive care, involvement in prevention and outreach programs in the community, an onsite visit from surveyors and more. During this year’s visit, surveyors found zero deficiencies at UM Health-Sparrow Ionia.
“We are proud of the team members that are involved in our trauma program,” said Brett Reich, D.O., chief of staff and emergency medicine medical director at UM Health-Sparrow Ionia. “There is a lot of hard work that goes into maintaining a trauma program, and the team at UM Health-Sparrow Ionia has certainly demonstrated a pattern of excellence when it comes to providing the highest level of care for the trauma patients in our community.”
For more information about the leading-edge services provided at UM Health-Sparrow Ionia, visit UofMHealthSparrow.org/Ionia
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University of Michigan Health-Sparrow is Mid-Michigan’s premier health care organization and includes hospitals in Lansing, Carson City, Charlotte, Ionia and St. Johns, as well as UM Health-Sparrow Specialty Hospital, Care Network, the Michigan Athletic Club, and AL!VE. UM Health-Sparrow is part of University of Michigan Health. Through the dedication of our 10,000 team members, UM Health-Sparrow pursues a vision to be nationally recognized as a leader in quality and patient experience. For more information, visit UofMHealthSparrow.org.
