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Landstuhl Regional Medical Center has been reverified as a Level II Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons, continuing its distinction as the only medical facility overseas and only one of three in the Department of Defense
verified by the college.
LRMC received its initial Level II verification in July 2007.
“We commend Landstuhl Regional Medical Center for its demonstrated commitment to provide superior trauma care,” said Dr. Chris Cribari, chairman of the ACS verification committee, in his letter of congratulations to Col. (Dr.) John M. Cho, LRMC commander.
“Obviously this designation is a great honor for the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and civilians here at LRMC,” Colonel Cho said. “But more importantly, it is a revalidation of the outstanding level of trauma care that our wounded warriors receive.
This Level II ACS Trauma Center verification is in many ways recognition of the phenomenal care rendered throughout the entire trauma system — from point of injury to resuscitative surgery and from definitive surgery to outpatient rehabilitation. And Landstuhl Regional Medical Center plays the pivotal role as the sole strategic inter-theater stabilization medical center for this world-class trauma care continuum. Congratulations to all.”
The strict standards of compliance for ACS verification consist of more than 230 criterion focused on immediate and comprehensive care following trauma incidents. Those standards for civilian comprehensive care are being applied to support
servicemembers injured in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Specifically, the criterion includes specific requirements such as having full surgical capability available 24/7, documented plans for working with the local community, operating rooms meeting prescribed standards for equipment and staffing, and a continuing education program.
At LRMC, achieving its initial Level II verification required the addition of providing dialysis treatment and a permanent neurosurgeon.
The verification, a voluntary process requested by LRMC, followed a two-day site visit on March 31 and April 1 by members of the Verification Review Committee, a subcommittee of the ACS.
The LRMC medical team knows it is providing world class trauma care, said Lt. Col. (Dr.) Raymond Fang, LRMC trauma medical director, but having an objective outside agency with the prestige of the ACS to verify that assessment is an added honor.
“A focus on continuous performance improvement is the cornerstone of ACS-verified trauma programs,” Colonel Fang said. “Every day, we strive to deliver the best trauma care possible to our wounded warriors while simultaneously looking for ways to improve the care for future patients. ‘Best care today, better care tomorrow’ is our hospital-wide and DOD system-wide goal.”
The ACS is a scientific and educational association of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical education and practice and to improve the care of the surgical patient.
The college has more than 72,000 members and is the largest association of surgeons in the world. Long-standing achievements have placed the ACS in the forefront of American surgery and have made it an important advocate for all surgical patients.
LRMC, which falls under the command of Europe Regional Medical Center, provides primary care, tertiary care, hospitalization and treatment for more than 245,000 U.S. military personnel and their families within the European Command. It is also the evacuation and treatment center for all injured U.S. servicemembers, contractors and members of 44 coalition forces serving in Afghanistan and Iraq, treating more than 61,000 since January 2004.
