A Trauma Center is Needed Back in the Far South Suburbs

Thinking back during the summer of 2005, St. James Hospital in Olympia Fields was considering whether to continue in a state network of hospitals providing the  highest level of trauma center care for the most seriously injured patients. That is when the hospital’s voluntary two-year contract with the state for providing trauma service was up for renewal.

It was already understood when the hospital chose to offer less than a Level I regional trauma center, Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn would be the only hospital in the South Suburbs offering the special services, equipment and personnel around the clock to treat severely injured accident victims and other trauma patients.

A large chunk of the cost of running a top-level regional trauma center is the staffing required, officials said. State regulations require Level I hospitals to have a general or trauma surgeon available in the emergency room around the clock.

Having worked in law enforcement and responding to calls from gunshot victims–accidents with head trauma just to name a few–I have often been disturbed to see victims transported to area hospitals to only find out they have to be transported to Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn from the far South Suburbs. How would you feel if it was your child or any loved one.

In addition, Level I trauma centers must have specialty surgeons, such as  neurosurgeons and ophthalmologists, who can get to the hospital within 30  minutes of being called. Moreover, to get trauma victims to the centers,  helicopter and ambulance services have to be available 24 hours a day. 

While the state provides funding for the operation of such centers based on the number of trauma patients that a hospital serves, the money is not  enough to meet the total cost, which is continually rising.

Illinois established a network of special-care hospital centers for the  critically injured in 1971, the first state to do so. Beginning in 1976, however, federal funding for the operations of the centers was reduced and by 1980 eliminated, causing the system to virtually disappear.

The state re-established the system in 1986, and by 1989 there were 10 Level I trauma centers outside Chicago and 64 Level II centers, which require  a general surgeon be available within 30 minutes and specialty surgeons within an hour. 

But faced with inadequate state funding and reductions in the dollars that hospitals get in Medicare reimbursements, several trauma centers have had to re-evaluate their participation in the program. 

Provena St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet downgraded its trauma-level  status from Level I to Level II in 2000, citing increased costs as part of the reason. St. James in Chicago Heights, a Level II center at one time, left the network in 1994. 

The 166-bed Olympia Fields campus of St. James inherited the Level I  designation when its parent, Indiana-based Sisters of St. Francis Health Services Inc., purchased Olympia Fields Osteopathic Medical Center in 2000. The hospital was a designated a Level I site in 1988. 

So as many of us can see, this is about funding on the state and federal level which should be involved with this process again. The life of our South Suburban citizens should not be compromised due to lack of funding. Or have to worry if you or family members have a severe injury, you are transported by helicopter for a hefty price of $10,000 to $20,000. Just think if you are unemployed and with no insurance. Another scenario: to be transported to Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn from Lincoln Highway and Western is a 20 to 30 minute trip if you are lucky.

I have spoken with Donna Miller about these issues since she is running for Illinois State Senate 15 District which covers a large portion of the South Suburbs including Will County Crete and Monee, University Park. One issue Candidate Miller informed me of is her healthcare background and she supports a Southland Trauma center returning. S

he is scheduled to have a video by the Patch coming up of her plans and concerns. I am in the process of speaking with our current elected officials on the state and federal level about this issue. So please stay tuned.

So now when elected officials speak of protecting seniors, children and families. This can be a great start and keep prisons and detention centers out of our backyards.

We want quality jobs, an affordable and good healthcare system and protection for our homes. Not cuts.