Turkey Creek Medical Center’s Trauma Performance Improvement Committee (left to right): Rina Brackett, RN, Director of Bariatrics, Orthopedics & Medical-Surgical; William Snyder, MD, Neurosurgery; Michelle Fiegel, RN, Director of Critical Care; Ben Ridder, Chief Operating Officer; Emily Roberts, RN, Trauma Program Coordinator; Tony Benton, Chief Executive Officer; Mark Howard, PA-C, Neurosurgery; Emily Job, RN, Nursing Supervisor of Emergency Department; Travis Simmons, RN, Chief Nursing Officer; and Nitan Rangnekar, MD, General Surgeon and Trauma Center Medical Director (photo provided)

KNOXVILLE, TN (June 29, 2020) – Tennova Healthcare’s Turkey Creek Medical Center has been granted provisional status* as a Level III Trauma Center by the State of Tennessee Department of Health through the Office of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), according to an announcement made by Tony Benton, chief executive officer of Turkey Creek Medical Center. One of the most important benefits to patients transported to the Emergency Department at Turkey Creek Medical Center is quicker access to critical care for serious injuries.

“Receiving designation as a Level III Trauma Center allows us to treat more patients with more complex trauma injuries,” said Travis Simmons, chief nursing officer at Turkey Creek Medical Center. “Trauma patients may have a short window of time from the occurrence of the injury to definitive specialized care, and this designation means that we can provide trauma patients with the right level of care as quickly as possible.”

In Tennessee, there are four levels of trauma designation based on a hospital’s resources and capabilities. Official designation is determined by specific criteria that guide hospitals and emergency medical personnel in determining the level of care a trauma victim needs.

A designated Level III Trauma Center demonstrates the ability to provide prompt assessment, resuscitation, surgery, intensive care, and stabilization of acutely injured patients. Elements of a Level III Trauma Center include 24-hour immediate coverage by emergency medicine physicians and the prompt availability of general surgeons and anesthesiologists; a comprehensive quality assessment program; continued education of the trauma team; and active involvement in injury prevention and community outreach programs.

According to Benton, the pursuit of a Level III designation is the latest action taken by Tennova Healthcare to provide patients in the community with close access to vital medical services. Trauma Center designation is a voluntary evaluation process.

“This designation shows a collaborative effort and requires the commitment of our dedicated trauma team and local EMS providers,” Benton said. “We believe this milestone achievement—the result of many hours of hard work and coordination across multiple hospital departments—reinforces our mission to provide compassionate, patient-centered, value-driven healthcare with excellence in quality, service and access.”

Turkey Creek Medical Center’s Emergency Department also touts the following certifications:

• American Heart Association/American Stroke Association and The Joint Commission – Acute Stroke Ready Hospital
• American College of Cardiology/Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care – Accredited Chest Pain Center with PCI (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention)

*Provisional trauma center status means that the hospital has been verified to be in compliance with all requirements for the designation level. This is the first step to full designation.