Sparrow Carson Hospital Recertified as Level IV Trauma Center

Published: July 27, 2023

CARSON CITY, MI – Sparrow Carson Hospital has been redesignated as a Level IV Trauma Center, reflecting our level of expertise in providing crucial care to patients in our Emergency Department.

The designation from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is valid through June 2026. Sparrow Carson received its first Level IV certification in 2019.

This designation reflects Sparrow Carson’s ability to assess, stabilize patients, perform diagnostic testing, and prepare patients for transfer to a higher-level trauma center for care.

“This three-year designation reflects much more than our state-of-the-art facility and highly skilled Emergency Board-certified physicians,” said Julie Noreen, BSN, RN, Emergency Department and Trauma Program Manager. “To earn this designation, our nurses and physicians collaborate on chart review of all trauma cases, engage with the community to educate on injury prevention, attend monthly meetings with the Trauma Performance Improvement Committee, as well as participate in ongoing education to ensure best practices are followed for the best possible outcome for patients.”

The culmination of these efforts is reviewed during a one-day site visit from a nurse surveyor and physician surveyor, and a representative from the State Trauma Program. Surveyors review elements such as basic Emergency Department facilities, 24-hour laboratory coverage, the availability of trained trauma nurses and physicians upon the patient’s arrival, and what transfer agreements have been developed for patients requiring a more comprehensive level of care.

“The trauma level designation for Sparrow Carson Emergency Department further conveys our commitment to provide excellent care for our community. I’m proud of the dedication from our staff to uphold the standards of the American College of Surgeons for trauma care,” said Sara Stadel, M.D., Emergency Medical Director and Trauma Medical Director.

Sparrow Carson’s Emergency Department is currently ranked in the top 10 percent nationally for overall quality of care.

Hospital President Mark Brisboe said the Emergency Department team’s “tremendous level of knowledge, skill, and compassion, combined with their over 300 years of department experience, showcase the level of dedication this team has in providing exceptional care to our community.”

For more information on Sparrow Carson, go to Sparrow.org/Carson.