Valley View has again been designated as a Level III Trauma Center by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, a designation Valley View has held since 1998.

“It is an absolute honor to receive this designation again,” said Brian Murphy, MD, CEO of Valley View. “This would not be possible without the dedication of our expert and compassionate physicians, nurses, techs, and more, from across the organization, who provide a high level of trauma care. This designation ensures that our community has access to safe and high-quality trauma care close to home.”

As a Level III Trauma Center, Valley View provides 24-hour coverage by emergency medicine physicians, general surgeons and anesthesiologists. Emergency care is available for all ages including infants, children and adults. As part of this designation, Valley View promptly provides assessment, resuscitation, surgery, intensive care, and stabilization of injured patients and emergency operations. Valley View also has special partnerships with other Colorado hospitals to transfer patients requiring more comprehensive care via its Classic Air helicopter. Furthermore, Valley View is the only Level III Trauma Center along Interstate 70,  between Denver and Grand Junction, with neurosurgical capabilities that is able to care for patients with spinal injuries, commonly the result of mountain biking accidents, rodeo accidents, falls and more.

“Many of the trauma encounters we see at Valley View are a result of motor vehicle accidents, head injuries and falls,” said Valley View Trauma Program Manager Jen Elias, RN. “These visits have increased over the last several years, and it’s thanks to the collaboration and skill of our trauma teams that we are equipped to promptly and expertly care for any patient who enters our facility.”

Valley View’s emergency room is located at its Glenwood Springs hospital. For more information about Valley View’s trauma care, visit www.vvh.org/our-services/emergency/ or call 970-384-7300.