Essentia Health-Moose Lake keeps expert trauma care close to home with re-designation

The Minnesota Department of Health recently designated Essentia Health-Moose Lake as a Level IV Trauma Hospital. To achieve this designation, staff voluntarily participated in the intense designation process to become part of Minnesota's statewide trauma system. The process included an outside review of the hospital's resources and capabilities to care for trauma patients. Essentia Health-Moose Lake met standards of commitment, clinical and equipment resources and staff training. The hospital also participates in a continuous performance-improvement process to ensure we are keeping expert care close to home for the patients we serve.

“At Essentia Health-Moose Lake, we are incredibly proud to be re-designated as a Level IV Trauma Hospital,” said Sam Barney, hospital administrator. “This achievement is a testament to the unwavering dedication and collaborative effort of our entire team. Our staff’s commitment to providing high-quality patient care and their continuous pursuit of excellence ensures that we are well-equipped to meet the needs of our community. This designation highlights the exceptional work and cooperation of our health care professionals, ambulance services and support staff in delivering the best possible care to trauma patients.”

For a severely injured person, the time between sustaining an injury and receiving definitive care — the “golden hour” — is the most important predictor of survival. The chance of survival diminishes with time; however, a trauma system enhances the chance of survival regardless of proximity to an urban trauma hospital.

“Injury is the leading cause of premature death in Minnesota,” said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dr. Brooke Cunningham. “The goal of the trauma system is to decrease injured patients’ time to care by making sure their medical needs are appropriately matched with hospital resources. With the designation of Essentia Health-Moose Lake as a Level IV Trauma Hospital, we are getting closer to our goal of ensuring that seriously injured Minnesotans have access to an organized system of trauma care wherever they are in the state.”

On average, trauma claims the lives of 4,300 Minnesotans annually. States with trauma systems have seen survival rates increase by 15-20%. Wide-scale participation in the voluntary trauma system ensures that a statewide, cooperative effort is in place to care for seriously injured patients.

Essentia Health-Moose Lake was named a “critical access hospital to know” by Becker’s Hospital Review in April 2024.