HOISINGTON —The trauma center at Clara Barton Hospital has been verified as a Level IV Trauma Center by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).
“Trauma Center designation is one component of a comprehensive statewide trauma system designed to get patients with life-threatening injuries to a hospital with the necessary resources,” said Robert Moser, M.D., KDHE Secretary and State Health Officer. “We congratulate Clara Barton Hospital for serving as a vital resource when every second matters.”
Level IV trauma centers are rural hospitals whose primary role is to stabilize seriously injured patients and, if necessary, transfer them to a higher level trauma center. Hospitals that achieve Level IV trauma center designation have demonstrated a commitment to providing optimal care for those who have been seriously injured.
“The Level IV designation is an important step in the care of trauma patients. We made this decision as an organization and believe our pursuit and receipt of this designation demonstrates our commitment to provide our patients and community members with the best possible care,” said Curt Colson, president and CEO of Clara Barton. “Trauma Manager, Paula Hofmeister, and Trauma Medical Director, Dr. Robin Durrett, will provide oversight of the trauma program.”
Injuries are a leading cause of death and disability in Kansas. KDHE’s Trauma Program works to assure those that are injured in Kansas have access to an organized system of trauma care that offers them the best chance of recovery.  
Designated trauma centers must meet the essential criteria that ensure trauma care capability and institutional performance as outlined by the Kansas Advisory Committee on Trauma.  
According to Hofmeister, director of ER and Trauma Manager at Clara Barton, “Being part of the Kansas Trauma system will ensure that we receive the most up-to-date research and recommendations related to trauma care.”
There are four separate categories of designation by the Kansas Trauma Program. Each category has specific criteria that must be met by a facility seeking that level of designation. A trauma care system includes a network of hospitals providing a spectrum of care for injured patients. Trauma center designations are based on the hospital’s care, from the highest, Level 1 to hospitals designated Level IV.
Clara Barton Hospital is a Critical Access Hospital and Skilled Swing Bed Facility, located in Hoisington, Ks. While operating on the cutting edge of medical technology, Clara Barton provides diagnostic and treatment services to patients in and around Barton County through Clara Barton Hospital, Clara Barton Medical Clinic, Russell Family Medical Care, Clara Barton Surgical Services, Clara Barton Specialty Outreach Clinic, and Clara Barton Surgical Services-Orthopedics. For more information about Clara Barton Hospital and Clinics, please visit www.clarabartonhospital.org.