Luther Midelfort regional emergency departments earn advanced certification

Contact: Paul Meznarich, 715-838-5805, meznarich.paul@mayo.edu

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — With the recent certification of Luther Midelfort Northland in Barron in Comprehensive Advanced Life Support, all three critical-access hospitals within the Luther Midelfort system have now become CALS certified.

Critical-access hospitals are federally designated nonprofit health care facilities that serve rural areas, contain fewer than 25 patient beds and offer 24-hour emergency services seven days a week. Within the Luther Midelfort system, that includes the facility in Barron, Luther Midelfort Chippewa Valley in Bloomer and Luther Midelfort Oakridge in Osseo.

As part of national Emergency Medical Services Week, May 15 through May 21, Luther Midelfort Northland in Barron and Luther Midelfort Chippewa Valley in Bloomer will be presented with its CALS certification plaque at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively, on Thursday, May 19.

The CALS program uses a scenario-based curriculum to teach emergency care management, teamwork with limited staff, treatment of life-threatening trauma and preparation of patient transport to a higher-level facility. It has been used successfully by 331 Foreign Service facilities and U.S. embassies abroad and taught to more than 3,600 medical professionals since its inception in 1996.

Luther Midelfort Oakridge was the first facility in Wisconsin to become CALS certified in March 2009. Luther Midelfort Chippewa Valley earned its certification in December 2010.

“The CALS program is structured to cover all aspects of critical medical and trauma care for any age group,” said Alex Beuning, M.D., regional emergency medical director for the Luther Midelfort system. “Rural emergency providers and nurses have to wear many hats. CALS builds upon our skills so we can confidently manage those cases when they come through the door. And it trains providers and nurses together, building the teamwork necessary to work together well in critical situations.”