The Minnesota Department of Health recently designated Perham Health as a Level 4 Trauma Hospital. This significant achievement results from Perham Health’s voluntary participation in an intensive designation process to become part of Minnesota’s statewide trauma system. The process included an external review of the hospital’s resources and capabilities to care for trauma patients. Perham Health met the stringent standards of commitment, clinical and equipment resources, and employee training, and it also participates in a continuous performance improvement process.

Chuck Hofius, CEO of Perham Health, expressed pride in this accomplishment: “The designation of Perham Health as a Level 4 Trauma Hospital by the Minnesota Department of Health reflects our unwavering commitment to providing exceptional trauma care and our dedication to the ongoing enhancement of our clinical capabilities and resources. By participating in the rigorous designation process, we have demonstrated our readiness to serve our community with the highest standards of care in emergencies.”

The time between sustaining an injury and receiving definitive care is the most crucial predictor of survival for a severely injured person, often referred to as the “golden hour.” The chance of survival diminishes with time; however, a trauma system enhances the chance of survival regardless of proximity to an urban trauma hospital.

Dr. Brooke Cunningham, Minnesota Commissioner of Health, emphasized the importance of the trauma system: “Injury is the leading cause of premature death in Minnesota. The goal of the trauma system is to decrease injured patients’ time to care by making sure their medical needs are appropriately matched with hospital resources. With the designation of Perham Health as a Level 4 Trauma Hospital, we are getting closer to ensuring that seriously injured Minnesotans have access to an organized trauma care system wherever they are in the state.”

On average, trauma claims the lives of 4,300 Minnesotans annually. States with trauma systems have seen survival rates increase by 15 to 20 percent. Wide-scale participation in the voluntary trauma system ensures that a statewide, cooperative effort is in place to care for seriously injured patients.

Minnesota began developing a comprehensive statewide trauma system in August of 2005. Through its designation, Perham Health recognizes the vital role that communities, ambulance services, hospitals, and healthcare professionals play in the care and management of trauma patients.

About Perham Health 

Perham Health is a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital with three primary care clinics, a 96-bed nursing home, home health care agency, adult day services, memory care assisted living, and senior housing.  The medical staff consists of 24 physicians, a nurse midwife, 14 advance practice clinicians, and three chiropractors. Visit perhamhealth.org to learn more.