Geisinger; Trauma Performance Improvement Plan

Philosophy of the Trauma Program

1. Geisigner Health System is an integrated health services organization widely recognized for its innovative use of the electronic health record and the development of innovative care delivery models such as Proven Health Navigator and ProvenCare®, Acute/Chronic Programs. As one of the nation’s largest health service organizations, Geisinger serves more than three million residents throughout 45 counties in central, south-central, and northeast Pennsylvania, and also in New Jersey with the addition of AtlantiCare, a National Malcolm Balridge Award recipient. The physician-led system is comprised of approximately 30,000 employees, including nearly 16,000 physicians, 12 hospital campuses, two research centers, and a 510,000-member health plan, all of which leverage an estimated $8.9 billion positive impact on the Pennsylvania economy. Geisinger has repeatedly garnered national accolades for integration, quality, and service. In addition to fulfilling its patient care mission, Geisinger has a long-standing commitment to medical education, research, and community service.
2. Geisinger Health System has had a long tradition in the provision of trauma care and has been recognized as a regional resource trauma center since 1986. Geisinger Health System and the Janet Weis Children’s Hospital are committed to the provision of adult and pediatric trauma care which fostered them to gain accreditation as a Level One Trauma Center with Additional Qualifications in Pediatric Trauma in 1996. The Janet Weis Children’s Hospital has been accredited as a Level Two Trauma Center since 2011. To accomplish these goals, Geisinger requires strong leadership with authority to coordinate the multidisciplinary team. The need to coordinate prevention programs and to direct research activities among many different specialties providing care to the trauma patient will impact the future direction of adult and pediatric trauma care in the country.
3. Geisinger Health System has and continues to be successful in its attention to traumatized patients by providing coordinated care throughout Geisinger departments and divisions. Geisinger Health System complies with the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation (PTSF) standards for Trauma Center Accreditation and is designated as a Level I Regional Resource Trauma Center by the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation. In 2012, Geisinger Health System became part of the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program (ACS TQIP). By utilizing ACS TQIP, Geisinger Health System is elevating the quality of care currently being delivered by members of the multidisciplinary team through the use of risk adjusted benchmarking based upon national comparisons. ACS TQIP also provides education and training to help Geisinger Health System trauma program to improve the quality of data and accurately interpret our benchmark reports.
4. The Division of Trauma Surgery falls under the Division of General Surgery. The expansion of our services includes not only adult and pediatric trauma, but emergency general surgery and surgical critical care. This service will permit enhanced patient services and facilitate a robust learning environment for residents and medical students.