When it comes to emergency medical care, having access to the right resources and services saves lives, which is good news for central New Hampshire. Speare Memorial Hospital has been awarded a provisional Adult & Pediatric Level IV Trauma Center designation from a division of the NH Department of Safety. This recognition underscores Speare’s commitment to delivering extraordinary care to the pediatric and adult trauma patient population within our community, 24/7.

“Having a Level IV Trauma Designation validates that Speare Memorial Hospital is highly capable and committed to providing exceptional care to all trauma patients,” says Dr. Andrew Seefeld, Chief of Emergency Medicine and Director of Trauma Services at Speare. “We have the expertise, resources, and equipment necessary to provide Level IV trauma care.”

As a Level IV Trauma Center, Speare Memorial Hospital demonstrates its proficiency in providing immediate evaluation, diagnosis, resuscitation, surgery, and stabilization of injured patients. Moreover, the hospital is equipped to transfer patients who require more comprehensive care to appropriate facilities when necessary.

To ensure continuous improvement in trauma care delivery, Speare has established a Trauma Performance Improvement and Patient Safety committee. This committee reviews trauma cases, creates policies, and ensures that medical providers are delivering the most up-to-date, evidence-based trauma care to patients.

The hospital’s efforts are further strengthened by the utilization of the NH Trauma Registry, a specialized database that plays an important role in improving trauma care and patient outcomes as well as understanding community needs.

“Speare’s continued success as a critical access hospital exists in the willingness for collaboration and teamwork that is championed within the organization,” says Dr. Seefeld. “With the support of many hospital specialties and services, our trauma team has created a process that satisfies the rigorous requirements of the State.”

The Level IV Trauma Center designation is provisional until October 2024, following an evaluation by the State. Speare remains dedicated to meeting and exceeding the standards set forth for trauma care, ensuring that patients in central New Hampshire receive the highest quality of care possible.