Kootenai Health earns Level II trauma verification

COEUR d'ALENE — Kootenai Health has been verified as a Level II trauma center by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma. 

This accomplishment makes Kootenai Health the only level II ACS verified hospital in the region, according to a press release. Verified trauma centers must meet rigorous standards that ensure trauma care capability and the highest level of institutional performance, as outlined by the ACS COT.

“Becoming an ACS-verified Level II trauma center has been the culmination of countless hours of work by an enormous number of people,” said the Kootenai Health Trauma Medical Director, Cory Richardson, M.D.

The ACS Trauma Verification, Review, and Consultation Program helps hospitals to evaluate and improve their trauma care. 

Patients cared for in ACS-verified trauma centers have a lower risk of death and improved quality of life compared with patients in non-verified centers, the release said.

Kootenai Health has been working toward this designation since 2021, and has elevated the level of care in its Emergency Department and across the hospital.

“It has created higher expectations for all nurses and holds everyone to the highest standards,” said Dershi Bussey, director of emergency and Time Sensitive Emergencies. 

She said they are also sharing what they’ve learned and training opportunities with other North Idaho hospitals.

Having achieved this designation speaks to the outstanding care patients can expect when coming to Kootenai Health, the release said.

“Our team has the resources and training to provide the most up-to-date, nationally recognized best practices for care,” said Amanda Pringle, RN, manager of Kootenai Health’s trauma program.