LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A court ruling in favor of Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center could bring the region’s second level one trauma center — and with it, a range of impacts for patients, medical professionals, and the broader Southern Nevada community.
Judge Michael Cherry sided with Sunrise Hospital on Monday in a dispute over a level one trauma designation, that Sunrise says the Southern Nevada Health District board had previously denied. CEO Todd Sklamberg said the designation goes beyond a title.
Recruiting and retaining physicians
Sklamberg said level one status would give Sunrise Hospital a tool to attract physicians.
“As a level one trauma center, we will have the ability to recruit top talent for Southern Nevada, for Las Vegas, with the goal of those resident physicians to stay here and provide care following their residency,” Sklamberg said.
Education, research and training
Sklamberg also pointed to investment in medical education and research from the designation — a point Judge Cherry echoed in his ruling.
“Whenever I hear the word medical research and medical education, it gets my attention as a senior citizen, especially with our large senior population,” Judge Cherry said.
Sklamberg also described the broader benefit as “investment in education, research and training tomorrow’s doctors.”
Emergency readiness
Sklamberg referenced the One October 2017 shooting, in which 250 people were treated at Sunrise Hospital, as an example of what level one readiness means in practice.
“Our commitment to providing that level of readiness as a level one trauma center, I think only enhances the care that’s available to our community,” Sklamberg said.
What comes next
Sklamberg said the hospital could learn within one to two months whether it will receive the designation. Judge Cherry noted his ruling may be appealed.
Sunrise Hospital says it has been operating as a level one trauma center for 5-6 years after meeting clinical and regulatory benchmarks but didn’t have the official designation.
The Southern Nevada Health District said it is reviewing the court’s decision and had no additional comment.
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