Southwest Healthcare System’s Inland Valley Medical Center has been designated a Level II Trauma Center as of October 1, 2013. This means that the most serious kinds of injuries can now be treated here right in our own backyard without going to San Diego or Los Angeles.
“There’s an organizational structure in place now to serve the needs of our growing communities,” said Maureen Bowlin, Trauma Program Manager for Inland Valley Medical Center. She also stated, “County officials were highly impressed with our preparation and execution for our survey that was conducted in order to assess and confirm the Level II designation.”
County officials conducted an extensive evaluation of the Trauma Center. Bruce Barton, the agency’s director, announced that Inland Valley’s Trauma Center has completed all of the requirements for a Level II designation. To qualify for a higher level of designation, the Trauma Center had to be operating at a Level II status in advance so that the hospital could substantiate to evaluators that it could sustain that level of service.
“The Level II designation now allows for neuro-trauma patients as well as those requiring facial surgery to be transported locally to Inland Valley rather than outside the area,” stated Dr. Tito Gorski, Trauma Center Medical Director. Dr. Gorski continued, “There’s a huge spectrum of trauma services available right here at Inland Valley.”
In contrast to a Level I designation, one of the only differences would be that of a greater population base. Other than that, Inland Valley’s Level II Trauma Center now offers the highest level of care and services available to Southwest Riverside County.
“Upgrading to a Level II shows that we’re making a concerted effort and commitment to our communities that we care enough to make sure these services are available to our patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” stated Dr. Reza Vaezazizi, Emergency Medical Services Director.
Inland Valley Medical Center is a full service acute-care hospital which has served the needs of Southwest Riverside County for more than 25 years. They feature the regions only Level II Trauma Center and the regions only Center of Excellence for Bariatric Weight-loss Surgery.