Advocate Condell designated Level I Trauma Center
Advocate Condell Medical Center has been designated a Level I Trauma Center by the Illinois Department of Public Health, hospital officials said Monday.
The Libertyville-based facility will be the only Level I center in Lake County, and one of 18 in Illinois. The status takes effect Oct. 1.
"Our area has needed a resource for the immediate treatment of critically injured patients so they do not have to be transported to distant hospitals," Advocate Condell's head of trauma services Dr. William Watson said in a written statement.
Currently, patients with life-threatening injuries, about 300 per year, are taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge or Froedtert Memorial Hospital near Milwaukee.
In order to qualify as a Level I center, a hospital needs to meet criteria set by the American College of Surgeons and the IDPH.
The standards include having a trauma surgeon, anesthesiologist and radiologist on staff 24 hours a day. The center must also have helicopter-landing facilities and high level trauma training for nurses and staff, among other requirements.
The designation is great news for fire departments across the county.
"We are elated this day has finally come," said Mundelein Fire Department Chief Tim Sashko. "We talk a lot about the 'golden hour,' and how important that first hour is for a critically injured person to receive care. We no longer have to lose time in traveling to more distant locations. We are extremely excited."
Advocate Condell started its quest for the designation in 2006 under the leadership of former chief executive officer Dennis Millirons. U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk also supported the effort.
The hospital invested in a major expansion plan over the last three years as part of its goal to be Level I. A 68 medical/surgical/bed tower was added along with a $109 million West Patient Tower. That tower is still being constructed and will be finished in 2011, officials say.
The announcement also was welcomed by Lake County Board Chairman Suzi Schmidt, who stressed the county still has medical needs.
"This is great news for all the people in the county," she said. "But it does not erase the need for a hospital to be built in the northwest part of the county. But I'm very happy that Condell has this new designation."
The hospital also operates Lake County's only Pediatric Emergency Department and Accredited Chest Pain Center, officials say.
Condell became part of the Advocate system in December 2008. Advocate operates five Level I Trauma Centers throughout Illinois.
"Advocate Health Care has the most extensive trauma network in the state," said Advocate Condell President Dr. Ann Errichetti in a written statement. "We are proud to bring this network to Lake County."