UPMC Altoona’s trauma center is dropping from its Level II designation to Level III in September.

“Over the last several years, the volume of highly complex traumatic injuries in the community have declined significantly,” stated a UPMC spokesperson in an email, after the Mirror requested an explanation. “The change in status better aligns with the needs of our patients and ensures an appropriately resourced program related to (the) volume of highly complex traumatic injuries seen in the region.”

The move is being made “proactively” by the hospital, based on “technical credentialing” by the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation, according to the spokesperson.

“Level II trauma centers (like the current local hospital) 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,” according to the American College of Surgeons, on whose Committee on Trauma the Pennsylvania foundation bases its credentialing.

“Level III trauma centers (like UPMC Altoona will become) typically serve communities that may not have timely access to a Level I or II trauma center and fulfill a critical role in much of the United States by serving more remote and/or rural populations,” states the College of Surgeons. “(They) provide definitive care to patients with mild to moderate injuries …(and) also have processes in place for the prompt evaluation, initial management, and transfer of patients whose needs might exceed the resources available.”

Level II centers, like the current UPMC Altoona, must provide 24-hour immediate coverage by general surgeons, coupled with coverage in orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, radiology and critical care; and must offer trauma prevention and continuing education for staff and a comprehensive quality assessment program, according to the website of the American Trauma Society. Level II centers, however, may refer cardiac surgery, hemodialysis and microvascular surgery to a Level I center, according to the Society.

Level III centers, like Altoona will soon become, must provide 24-hour immediate coverage by emergency physicians and prompt availability of general surgeons and anesthesiologists, according to the Society. They must also have transfer agreements with Level I or Level II trauma centers for patients that need higher level care and must provide back up care for rural and community hospitals, according to the Society. They must also have a quality assessment program, continuing education for nursing and others and provide prevention efforts and outreach in their communities, according to the Society.

Level I centers, those at the highest level, need to provide “system leadership and comprehensive trauma care for all injuries” and have “adequate depth of resources and personnel,” while playing “an important role in local trauma system development, regional disaster planning, increasing capacity and advancing trauma care through research,” according to the College of Surgeons.

Based on an internet search, it appears that Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown is the nearest Level I trauma center.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.