Poudre Valley Hospital has received verification of its trauma program from the American College of Surgeons, the only Level III center in the state to hold the distinction.

PVH also received re-designated as a Level III trauma center by the state of Colorado.

The state designation allows PVH to operate as a Level III trauma center. The ACS verification is based on national benchmarks and a higher standard than the state designation.

Both agencies surveyed PVH in February after the hospital chose to combine the ACS survey with the state survey, which is conducted every three years by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

The ACS verification is voluntary and, like the state designation, is good for three years. ACS reviewers assess the commitment, readiness, resources, policies, patient care, performance improvement and other relevant features of the program.

ACS reviewers praised PVH for going through the verification process, which they said indicated a strong commitment by PVH to the care of injured patients. The ACS survey results noted several program strengths, specifically the high standard of care provided at PVH.

“Our community has always been able to count on PVH for the best possible care,” said Dr. Jack Collins, PVH trauma medical director. “This achievement reaffirms that.”

Trauma hospitals in Colorado are designated Level I (highest) through Level V (lowest) based on the level of care they can provide.

Poudre Valley Health System has two trauma centers: PVH, the Level III center, and Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, which is a Level II trauma center.

For more information, contact Kevin Darst, 970.624.1211.