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.