American Family Children’s Hospital re-verified as Level I pediatric trauma center

MADISON- UW Health’s American Family Children’s Hospital has been re-verified as a Level I pediatric trauma center after a rigorous review by the American College of Surgeons (ACS).

“The achievement recognizes the trauma center’s teamwork and dedication to providing optimal care for all injured children,” said Jeff Poltawsky, hospital senior vice president. “The verification requires that the hospital provide the entire spectrum of trauma care, from prevention through the rehabilitation process.”

American Family Children’s Hospital offers comprehensive medical and surgical expertise 24 hours a day seven days a week. “This verification reflects our commitment to provide world-class patient-and-family-centered emergency care immediately upon a patient’s arrival at the hospital,” said Dr. Chuck Leys, medical director of the pediatric trauma program.

The ACS said a Level I pediatric trauma center must serve as a regional resource that is central to the trauma care system. Level 1 trauma centers must be capable not only of providing total care for every aspect of injury, but are also required to provide leadership in education, prevention, research and system planning.

UW Health’s American Family Children’s Hospital is an 87-bed hospital affiliated with University Hospital and the UW School of Medicine and Public Health.  The hospital has 30 specialty clinics and more than 220 physicians and surgeons. It includes a 21-bed pediatric intensive care unit with ECMO capability, a14-bed Level IV surgical neonatal intensive care unit, a dedicated pediatric imaging suite that provides ultra-low-dose imaging technology and protocols, and a state-of-the-art hybrid catheterization/angiography suite.  American Family Children’s Hospital was named by U.S. News and World Report as a best hospital in six medical and surgical specialties in 2016.