Keeping Critical Care Close to Home

AVH Receives Level III Redesignation

Following its recent successful redesignation as a Level III Trauma Center, Aspen Valley Hospital continues its commitment to providing Roaring Fork Valley residents and visitors with round-the-clock access to emergency care.

“Our patients and their families often tell us how grateful they are for our trauma physicians, surgeons, care teams and facilities; and the redesignation means they will have access to these lifesaving resources,” said AVH Trauma Program Manager Karen Maciejko, RN, BSN. “We are also a designated critical access hospital and exceed Level III state trauma requirements with expanded services such as 24/7 orthopedic coverage and our Traumatic Brain Injury Program with six certified traumatic brain injury specialists.”

First certified in 1999, the trauma center’s redesignation signals that AVH achieves and maintains strict adherence to rigorous standards for emergency care. Staff works to continuously improve, performing practice reviews, engaging staff across the organization and coordinating efforts with AVH Trauma Medical Director Christopher Roseberry, MD.

In important ways, this highly collaborative process reflects AVH’s overall approach to having a trauma care center encompassing the many departments and staff members that touch the lives of critically injured patients.

“Our review team commented positively on the level of engagement and dedication throughout the hospital,” Maciejko said, noting that AVH’s wide-ranging trauma program includes everything from mandatory quality reviews of all trauma cases to ongoing learning sessions for clinical providers, as well as community education programs focusing on helmet use and fall prevention.

“Everyone on the AVH team is so proud to have earned our redesignation as a Level III Trauma Center,” Maciejko said. “We are fortunate that we can continue to provide this crucial care right here close to home.”