When the sudden need for emergency or critical care arises, the level of a trauma center is an important designation that helps explain the types of resources available. Renown Regional Medical Center is proud to be the only Level II Trauma Center in our region, which is a critical service to provide. We spoke with Bret Frey, MD, an emergency care physician, to discuss what this means for our community.
Requirements for Designation as a Level II Trauma Center
To be a designated Level II Trauma Center, a hospital must have 24-hour immediate coverage by general surgeons and multiple specialties, such as orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, emergency medicine and more. In addition, this hospital must provide trauma prevention and ongoing education for its teams and incorporate a comprehensive quality assessment program.
“What it means for this community is nothing short of amazing,” said Dr. Frey, who explained that Renown has over 20 specialty physicians on-call and ready to provide trauma care. According to Dr. Frey, many communities of the same or larger size have fewer specialists ready and available to provide this level of care.
Renown Regional Medical Center is located near downtown Reno. The Emergency Department has several helipads and ambulance banks to intake patients requiring emergency care. Patients can also receive emergency walk-in care. On the same campus is Renown Children’s Hospital, which is home to the only pediatric Emergency Room dedicated solely to pediatric patients.
Emergency and trauma care is just one area in which Renown Health is the regional leader. When patients or families choose Renown during an emergency, they will have access to all the resources provided through the entire health network. This means access to the many specialists available to consult on different conditions or care situations, inpatient care if needed, referrals to other areas of the network and medications to go.
“I’m very happy and proud to be a part of building something very special in this community,” said Frey.
Recent cold-water incidents in the region serve as an important reminder that cold water affects the body differently than cold air. Sudden immersion can trigger an involuntary gasp reflex, impair breathing, and quickly reduce a person's ability to swim or stay afloat. Understanding these risks, recognizing the signs of cold-water distress, and taking simple safety precautions can help everyone enjoy the water more safely.
Back-to-school season means kids and teens are gearing up for sports and physical activities — which are both enjoyable and beneficial for our health. However, with the fun and excitement of sports comes the risk of injuries. Sprains, traumatic brain injuries, and broken bones are more common than we realize and can sometimes lead to an emergency room visit.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a medical emergency, it's essential to seek immediate attention by calling 9-1-1 or visiting the ER for a thorough evaluation by a trained medical professional and timely intervention.
