The Peterborough Regional Health Centre has been identified as a Level III Trauma Centre.
Officials say the distinction has been recognized by the Ontario Ministry of Health on the recommendation of the Regional Trauma Network in consultation with Critical Care Services of Ontario.
“Becoming an active member of the Regional Trauma Network is exciting news for PRHC,” says Dr. Troy Tebbenham, Medical Director of the Trauma Program at PRHC. “This means that our team will help to drive improvements in trauma patient care – not only locally at our regional hospital but at the provincial level as well – with a focus on creating a best-in-class trauma system that reduces death and disability related to injury.”
A significant element of the establishment of PRHC’s trauma program involves community education. The trauma team has been providing seasonal injury prevention and safety tips across the hospital’s social media channels, and has launched a community education program called ‘Stop the Bleed’ – an international program that provides community members with the skills and basic tools they need to stop uncontrolled bleeding in an emergency situation.
In the year ahead, PRHC’s trauma team will work closely with Peterborough County-City Paramedics, Peterborough Police Service and Peterborough Fire Services to continue to educate and implement programs within local school boards, businesses and the general community to decrease the incidence of trauma events.