Wellstar Paulding Designated As Level IV Trauma Center

PAULDING COUNTY, GA — Wellstar Paulding Hospital was recently designated a Level IV trauma center by the Georgia Department of Public Health, hospital officials announced Monday.

Level IV trauma centers demonstrate the ability to provide advanced trauma life support prior to transfer of patients to a higher-level trauma center when necessary, according to a news release.

Wellstar Paulding also recently earned Magnet recognition, which is considered the nation's highest nursing honor and the "gold standard" of nursing.

“Wellstar Paulding Hospital is part of the largest trauma network in the state, delivering compassionate, high-quality care to people in our community suffering from accidents, incidents and injuries,” said Frances Van Beek, assistant vice president of Trauma & Neuro Services for Wellstar Health System. “Patients benefit from our team’s tight-knit communication and collaboration, as well as our physician and caregiver expertise that enables us to save lives every day.”

The Hiram-based hospital has a team of emergency physicians and nurses with advanced trauma training, as well as hospitalists, critical care physicians and an in-house orthopedics program. Since December 2019, Wellstar Paulding Hospital’s trauma team has cared for more than 768 patients, the release said.

As a new member of DPH’s trauma network, Wellstar Paulding will collaborate with the seven other Level IV-designated hospitals across the state to further enhance care capabilities with performance improvement programs.

“Our trauma team’s outreach activities in the community have helped to reduce injury and protect people, which has a positive impact on everyone,” said Kerry Carter, trauma program manager at Wellstar Paulding Hospital. “These important efforts help us live out the Wellstar Paulding team’s motto of ‘Neighbors Caring for Neighbors.’ We love working with our community and enhancing their health and are proud to be designated as a Level IV trauma center to better serve the people of Paulding."

Related: Wellstar Paulding Receives Nation's Highest Nursing Honor