AUSTIN, Texas - (May 23, 2007) - Officials with the Seton Family of Hospitals and the Travis County Healthcare District today announced the opening of ten new trauma-critical care rooms at Brackenridge Hospital.
"This expansion enables us to expand our commitment to comprehensive trauma care for Central Texas residents," said Jesus Garza, COO-Seton Family of Hospital and President and CEO-Brackenridge. "These new high-tech rooms will help us stay ahead of the growing demand for critical care services and improve the level of efficiency of service at Brackenridge."
The ten trauma-critical care rooms are divided into two categories: three major resuscitation rooms, which will be used to treat major trauma cases, and seven critical care rooms. Six of the seven critical care rooms are "negative air pressure isolation" rooms, which are designed to treat patients with infectious diseases such as Avian Flu and SARS.
Each of the rooms will include new monitors, infusion pumps and the latest medical equipment to treat patients in shock. This fall, eight more rooms will open--four trauma rooms and four critical care rooms, designed to accommodate surge capacity during mass casualty events.
"A trauma patient immediately needs the broadest range of medical and surgical specialties we can provide. This investment will allow us to meet the needs of trauma patients quicker and with better tools," said Pat Crocker, D.O., Chief of Emergency Operations, Brackenridge Hospital and Children's Hospital of Austin.
"As the Lead Trauma Center in our region, this Brackenridge project further enhances our ability to partner in providing rapid access to clinically sophisticated, timely, compassionate care for patients injured in our community," said Dr. Ed Racht, Director, Austin/Travis County EMS. "Austin / Travis County EMS is proud to be a part of the regional trauma System."
The total cost of the new trauma area is $6 million, $5 million funded by Seton and the remaining $1 million funded by the Travis County Healthcare District.
"With this investment, the Healthcare District continues to fulfill a promise made to the citizens of Travis County to invest in expanded capability for trauma care. In addition, the District continues ongoing efforts to reduce inappropriate reliance on the emergency room through expansion of Urgent Care and improving access to Primary Care Services," said Trish Young Brown, President and CEO of the Travis County Healthcare District. "This multifaceted approach is necessary to provide care most effectively and efficiently so that trauma resources are available for those who need them most."
The Regional Trauma Center at Brackenridge is one of nine designated Level II major trauma centers in the state and the only Level II trauma facility in this region. The center serves the 11-county Central Texas area and is the home base for STAR Flight. The Trauma Center continues to meet the rigorous standards set by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Committee on Trauma care.
Seton is proud to have four hospitals – the only hospitals in Central Texas - that have earned the