Hats off to George Regional Hospital

Emergency Room Awarded $10,000 Grant from Coastal Trauma Region

Following strict state requirements and providing emergency care quickly and thoroughly, the George Regional Hospital emergency department was awarded a $10,000 grant from the Coastal Trauma Region. When a critically injured patient is brought to the ER, establishing an open airway (intubate) is the primary goal. “It is due to George Regional’s participation and compliance with all the regional and state requirements that the Coastal Trauma Region decided to award us this grant,” explains Joel Turner, Director of Nursing.

With the grant, a “Glide-a-Scope” intubation system was purchased. This scope is extremely useful for opening airways in critically injured patients and pediatric patients. It allows the physician to see the vocal cords and airway on a small screen and to easily place the tube in order to open the airway. “Having this equipment will make it so much easier to stabilize those critical patients brought to our ER,” adds Turner. The new scope will help save about 60 critically injured lives each year and can also be used for regular intubations.

As a Level 4 Trauma Center, George Regional Hospital’s emergency department staff is trained to stabilize critically injured patients quickly. “George Regional has developed an excellent working relationship with the surrounding hospitals and we have been very efficient in the stabilization of patients and transferring them to those Level 1 and 2 facilities in a timely manner,” explains Turner.

The Coastal Trauma Region was implemented statewide in 1992. Mark Mauldin, M.D., FACEP, is Chief of the Emergency Department at George Regional and was instrumental in securing the grant. Dr. Mauldin attends monthly trauma committee meetings ensuring that the citizens of George County continue to receive the best care possible.

“The goal of the Mississippi Trauma Care System is to deliver the right patient to the right hospital at the right time,” said Gail Thomas, Trauma Region Director. “Since that time, Mississippi has developed one of the most efficient trauma systems in the nation. Other states use our system as a template for their own,” she adds.