CityView Magazine

advertorial The decision to launch a trauma center doesn't come lightly. It requires a major in- vestment in specialized manpower, equip- ment and logistical support from hospital administration and staff, which the health system has steadily put into place. The world-class combination of facility equipment and physicians wouldn't be out of place in a trauma center found in much larger cities, such as Philadelphia, Boston or New York. "We don't lack for equipment and resources," said Stephen Flaherty, M.D., Cape Fear Valley's new Trauma Medical Director. Dr. Flaherty was brought in to help launch Cape Fear Valley's trauma program be- cause of his extensive trauma care experi- ence. The retired Army colonel previously served as chief of surgery at Womack Army Medical Center at Fort Bragg. Nearly 45 million Americans do not have access to a Level I or Level II trauma center within an hour of being injured. Those first 60 minutes are referred to as the "golden hour," which often determines whether a trauma patient lives or dies. If paramedics can get a patient's heart to keep delivering oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body, then outcomes dramatically increase, while complications decrease. Having an official trauma center at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center allows more local patients to get the care they need quicker, instead of having to be flown else- where. It also allows patients to have a sup- port structure of family and friends nearby, which helps for a faster recovery. Schumacher, for one, is certainly glad he didn't have to be shipped off to another facility. "This accident instantly made long-lasting changes to my life," Schumacher said. "I'm grateful to the trauma team physicians just to be here." CV Cape Fear Valley Medical Center operates the busiest Emergency Department in the state and one of the Top 100 busiest in the nation. Here's a snapshot of the ED from Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011: OVERALL STATISTICS TOTAL VISITS: ADULTS SEEN: CHILDREN SEEN: ADULTS ADMITTED: CHILDREN ADMITTED: AMBULANCE ARRIVALS: 365 271 94 85 3 112 The Emergency Department at Cape Fear Valley is a world-class trauma facility meeting the challenging needs of a growing region.

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