Tahoe Forest Hospital Receives Level 4 Trauma Designation

Emergency Room entrance at Tahoe Forest Hospital

Tahoe Forest Health System is pleased to announce that Tahoe Forest Hospital has been awarded the Level 4 Trauma Center designation by the Sierra‐Sacramento Valley EMS Agency (S‐SV). Tahoe Forest Hospital has met the requirements and recommendations set forth by the S‐SV for the Level 4 category of trauma centers.  

Tahoe Forest Hospital offers the highest Level 4 standard of care for trauma patients recognized by the American College of Surgeons (ACS). The ACS is a trauma verifying agency that provides guidelines as an advisement to improve trauma care.  

“Our team has worked diligently on our trauma program for the past two years, elevating the care in our Emergency Department,” said Harry Weis, President and CEO, Tahoe Forest Health System. “The Level 4 Trauma designation is an important next step in serving the healthcare needs of our community, given that the Truckee/Lake Tahoe area is a world class recreational destination.”   The different levels designated to trauma centers refer to the kinds of resources available in a trauma center and the number of patients that are admitted yearly. 

As a Level 4 Trauma Center, Tahoe Forest Hospital is  capable of providing 24‐hour physician coverage and advanced trauma life support (ATLS), including resuscitation and stabilization, to injured patients before they are transferred to a higher level trauma center. Tahoe Forest Hospital has incorporated an ongoing performance improvement program that reviews care of 100% of trauma patients seen from pre‐hospital until discharge. High volumes of trauma patients are cared for in the Tahoe Forest Hospital Emergency Department yearly.  

November 17, 2020