NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue Certified as a Level II Pediatric Trauma Center and is Re-Certified as a Level I Adult Trauma Center
The hospital is the first in the NYC public health system certified to treat pediatric trauma patients under age 15, ensuring that New Yorkers of all ages get the most advanced and timely trauma care possible NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue is the only Level I Adult Trauma Center and Level II Pediatric Trauma Center in Manhattan south of 68th Street
May 12, 2023
Pediatric and Adult Trauma Teams (Photo courtesy of NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue)
New York, NY
NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue announced today that the American College of Surgeons (ACS) has certified the hospital as a Level II Pediatric Trauma Center, and has re-certified the hospital as a Level I Adult Trauma Center. Since 2019, the hospital has had provisional status as a Level II Pediatric Trauma Center, allowing the hospital to treat patients under age 15, ensuring that New Yorkers of all ages get the most advanced and timely trauma care possible. The ACS certification makes the status permanent. Previously, pediatric trauma patients were transferred to a nearby hospital for care. NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue is the only Level I Adult Trauma Center and Level II Pediatric Trauma Center in Manhattan south of 68th Street.
“We are proud to receive these Trauma Center designations from the American College of Surgeons,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue Chief Executive Officer William Hicks. “Trauma patients and their loved ones can be assured that they are receiving the highest level of emergency care at the most critical moments. Our adult and pediatric teams are specially-trained and committed to providing lifesaving care to patients of all ages.”
“The Level II Pediatric Trauma Center designation is recognition of Bellevue’s dedication to providing high-quality care to injured pediatric patients in our community and across the five boroughs of New York City,” said Sandra Tomita, MD, Pediatric Trauma Medical Director at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. “Bellevue has met the rigorous standards of the American College of Surgeons Committee on trauma, developing an integrated system that relies on teamwork and commitment across multiple departments. Along with the Adult Level I Trauma Center which successfully completed re-certification, Bellevue continues to be a leader in providing high quality trauma care to all New Yorkers.”
“Achieving American College of Surgeons verification as a Level I trauma center represents the pinnacle of trauma care in the United States,” said Marko Bukur, MD, Adult Trauma Medical Director at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. “This transcendent effort requires collaboration at all levels and is indicative of the team work and grit Bellevue is known for. All citizens in our catchment area are fortunate to benefit from Bellevue’s unwavering commitment to advancing care of the injured patient.”
“Congratulations to NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue on being designated the only Level I Adult Trauma Center and Level II Pediatric Trauma Center in Manhattan below 68th Street,” said Congressman Jerrold Nadler. “Bellevue provides an incredibly vast array of critical services to New Yorkers. On a recent visit, I was impressed by the dedicated staff, who are so committed to providing first-rate care to patients with such acute needs.”
“Our communities deserve access to timely, quality medical care, especially when facing medical trauma,” said NYS Senator Kristen Gonzalez. “These certifications from the American College of Surgeons are a testament to the highly specialized care that NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue’s multidisciplinary trauma teams provide to New Yorkers of all ages. As a state senator, I prioritize access; the fact that a hospital in NYC’s public health system can treat pediatric trauma patients means that all New Yorkers can have increased access to the trauma care they may need.”
“NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue is an integral part of the fabric of our city’s healthcare safety net,” said NYS Assembly Member Harvey Epstein. “For over 287 years, Bellevue has been on the frontlines of every public health crisis, providing care to patients regardless of ability to pay. We are proud to have the highest level of emergency care right here in our community, which is now home to the only Level I Adult Trauma Center and Level II Pediatric Trauma Center in Manhattan south of 68th Street. Congratulations to the Bellevue team!”
“I could not be prouder of Bellevue Hospital,” said NYC Council Majority Leader Keith Powers. “From relatively simple procedures to the most complicated, Bellevue always provides the highest quality care and meets the most rigorous standards.”
“NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue continues to be a recognized leader in providing lifesaving care to our community,” said NYC Council Member Carlina Rivera. “The designations from the American College of Surgeons are a recognition of the comprehensive quality care that the extraordinary doctors, nurses, and clinicians provide to trauma patients of all ages. I am proud to celebrate Bellevue and all that they do to make our community stronger and healthier.”
“NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue has long been a leader in our city’s public healthcare system,” said NYC Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, Chair of the Council’s Committee on Hospitals. “These trauma center certifications reaffirm and highlight their long commitment to providing care to those who need it most urgently. I congratulate the team at Bellevue for this achievement and always endeavoring to save lives with great compassion and integrity.”
Last year, Bellevue’s Emergency Department saw more than 103,000 patients.
NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue has been a Level I Adult Trauma Center for decades, delivering state-of-the-art, around the clock trauma care. In order to meet ACS requirements for certification, an Adult Level I Trauma Center must admit at least 1,200 injured patients annually. Bellevue’s Emergency Department admitted over 1,770 adults for trauma care in 2022.
Trauma is the leading cause of death between the ages of one and 14 years old nationwide, and results in temporary or permanent disability for millions of infants and children annually. Injured pediatric patients require specialized treatment and NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue’s Pediatric Trauma program includes a specially trained multidisciplinary healthcare team of physicians, nurses, social workers, and rehabilitation therapists. This team includes pediatric specialists in surgery, emergency care, anesthesiology, neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, and otolaryngology. Services include a dedicated pediatric emergency room, pediatric intensive care unit, and pediatric transport.
A Pediatric Level II Trauma Center must admit 100 patients annually in order to meet ACS requirements for certification. Last year, Bellevue saw over 12,300 pediatric patients in the Emergency Department, with 118 trauma admissions.
Trauma, accidental or intentional injuries that require immediate attention are best cared for at trauma centers. Level I trauma centers must be capable of providing comprehensive trauma care for all injuries. In its central role, a Level I trauma center must have adequate depth of resources and personnel. In addition to providing acute trauma care, these centers have an important role in local trauma system development, regional disaster planning, increasing capacity, and advancing trauma care through research. Level II trauma centers are expected to provide initial definitive trauma care for a wide range of injuries and injury severity and may take on additional responsibilities in the region related to education, system leadership, and disaster planning.
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About NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue
NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue is America’s oldest public hospital, established in 1736. Affiliated with the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, the 844-bed hospital is a major referral center for highly complex cases, with 6,000 employees including highly skilled, interdisciplinary clinical staff. The hospital is a Level 1 Trauma Center and annually it sees about 103,000 emergency room visits, more than 520,000 outpatient visits, and almost 200,000 visits to our COVID-19 testing and vaccine centers. Clinical centers of excellence include: Emergency Medicine and Trauma Care; Cardiovascular Services; Bariatric Surgery; Designated Regional Perinatal Center and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (ICU); Children’s Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program; and Cancer Services. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org/bellevue and follow us on Twitter at @BellevueHosp.
About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlus health plan—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 43,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.