Mary Washington Hospital Trauma Center
The Mary Washington Hospital Trauma Center is a Commonwealth of Virginia
Level II Trauma Center providing comprehensive trauma care to patients
with life-threatening injuries.
Injuries occur from many mechanisms including motor vehicle crashes, motorcycle
crashes, falls, pedestrian injuries, bicycle crashes, and sport injuries
as well as from penetrating injuries such as gunshot wounds and stab wounds.
Outcomes from traumatic injuries have been shown to be improved when those
who are injured are cared for in designated trauma centers.
Mary Washington Hospital (MWH) has been verified as a Level II Trauma Center.
This achievement recognizes the Mary Washington Hospital’s superlative
care for traumatically injured patients.
The Trauma Team
The trauma center is staffed by in-hospital
trauma surgeons who are available 24/7 for immediate care. Trauma care is delivered by
a multidisciplinary team to include the coordinated care of members of
the Trauma team, to include Emergency Services, Radiology, Operating Rooms,
Surgical Intensive Care Units, Laboratory, Physical and Rehabilitative
Medicine Services, and full-service provided by surgical sub-specialists
and other medical disciplines.
Partnerships in pre-hospital trauma care with Rappahannock EMS (REMS),
aero-medical companies, and with state and local law enforcement and fire
and safety agencies provide the infrastructure for the trauma center.
The Mary Washington Surgical Specialists Surgeons clinic in the
Tompkins-Martin Medical Plaza on the Mary Washington campus sees all outpatient trauma patients after
hospitalization and coordinates other surgical subspecialty outpatient care.
Injury Prevention
Injury Prevention is a vital component of our trauma center. Education
programs include traffic safety initiatives such as occupant protection,
safe driving practices and child passenger safety. In addition we encourage
the utilization of helmets when on skateboards, bicycles or motorcycles
and the safe use of ATV's. The number one cause of lives lost during
productive years is injury, and an enormous number of people are disabled,
imposing a huge financial and social burden on society.
Did you know?
- Stafford County Fire and Rescue is the EMS agency that brought in the most
trauma patients in 2010.
- The age group to be treated most for traumatic injuries at MWH: 15 - 24
- Motor vehicle collisions comprise 50% of MWH trauma activations, followed
by falls at 16%.
- Trauma is the #1 cause of death in Americans ages 1 to 44 years
- Trauma is the 3rd leading cause of death among all age groups (179,000/yr in 2006)
- 32 million people in the US are treated for injuries yearly in emergency
departments (30% of all ED visits)
Trauma Prevention Tips:
- Always buckle up - every ride, every time.
- All vehicle occupants should be restrained in a restraint appropriate for
their age and weight. Children should ride in an infant seat, convertible
seat, booster seat or seatbelt appropriate for age, weight, growth and
development.
- Wear a helmet when indicated – such as for sports, ATV and motorcycle
riding, bicycling, rollerblading or skateboarding.
- Use caution when crossing the street. Always cross at the corner intersections
or designated crosswalk areas.
- Avoid cell phone use and texting when driving.
- Prevent falls in your home - keep walkways and stairs clear of clutter.
- Maintain safe playground areas.
- Keep firearms stored unloaded and in a locked cabinet or safe. Secure ammunition
in another location.
- Never drink and drive.
For more information, please contact Trauma Services office at 540.741.2855
or via email
Amy.Gulick@mwhc.com.