Blanchard Valley Hospital honored by American College of Surgeons

Blanchard Valley Hospital, a division of Blanchard Valley Health System, has been reverified as a Level III trauma center by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma. BVH received three additional ACS recognitions pertaining to surgical quality, cancer treatment, and its commitment to continually improving trauma care. 

The Level III trauma center verification is valid for three years. BVH is Level III-N, which means it additionally has neurology and neurosurgery capabilities to treat injuries like a traumatic brain bleed or a fracture of the spinal column.

The ACS Trauma Verification, Review, and Consultation (VRC) Program helps hospitals evaluate and improve their trauma care. The review process includes a site visit to the hospital by a team of trauma experts. The ACS has found that patients cared for in ACS-verified trauma centers have a lower risk of death and improved quality of life compared with patients who receive care in non-verified centers.

BVH was also named an ACS Surgical Quality Partner, a new recognition announced for the first time this year. This designation reflects the proven record BVH has demonstrated of adhering to the most rigorous standards in surgical quality - to minimize complications, improve outcomes, and save lives.

Additionally, BVH was recognized for participating in the Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP).

As part of TQIP, the BVH trauma team submits data on trauma patients compared to data from throughout the United States. Patient information is anonymous, but the ACS reviews trauma cases from their arrival at the hospital through the end of their stay, to track the quality of care at each hospital.