Trauma Medical Director to Present Washington Health Trauma Center Update

The Washington Health Trauma Center opened on July 1, 2024, bringing much needed lifesaving care to critically injured patients in Southern Alameda County. This new level II trauma center located in Fremont provides 24/7/365 availability of trauma surgeons and prompt access to various medical specialties like orthopedics, neurosurgery, and cardiology as well as an ongoing commitment to community safety and injury prevention education. Before it opened, patients with traumatic or life-threatening injuries like falls, car accident injuries, and penetrating injuries like stab wounds had to be transported to the nearest trauma centers in Castro Valley or San Jose. Trauma patients often spent crucial minutes following an injury in traffic on I-880 instead of receiving immediate care.

Washington Health Trauma Center Medical Director Chet Morrison, MD, will give an online update on the new trauma center on Wednesday, March 26, at 5 p.m. In his presentation, Dr. Morrison will discuss the types and volume of traumatic injuries his team has been receiving since the new center opened. He will also offer preventive measures people can take to avoid becoming a trauma patient and give insights on the positive impact this new resource has had on the community. You can watch his presentation on Facebook.com/washingtonhealth1 or YouTube.com/@washington_health.

Types of Trauma Injuries

Dr. Morrison will explain how the trauma center classifies different levels of trauma activations based on each patient’s severity of injuries. There are three levels, namely Alpha, Bravo and Delta. Alpha indicates the most severe trauma cases, meaning patients with life-threatening injuries that require immediate intervention. Bravo is the second tier, representing patients who are stable during the triage process, but whose condition could worsen and become critical very quickly. Delta is the lowest level, indicating a patient whose injuries are less serious, like cuts, bruises, sprains and superficial wounds.

“The volume of trauma patients we’re seeing is much higher than we originally anticipated and it continues to climb,” explained Dr. Morrison. “Trauma across the Bay Area is increasing as our population ages—more people are experiencing falls. Also, our local automobile versus pedestrian rate is four times higher in the Bay Area than the national average,” he added.

Some trauma patients come into the trauma center via ambulance, others arrive in a helivac, and some come on their own or are transported by a friend or family member. When 911 is called, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) work to stabilize the patient and contact the trauma center to alert them of the patient’s condition and level of trauma. The trauma team can then be prepared with the needed specialists, tests and imaging, and medications when the patient arrives.

During his presentation, Dr. Morrison will talk about the numbers of patients seen in the Washington Health Trauma Center since it opened; what percentages have been Alpha, Bravo and Delta levels; and examples of the types of injuries coming through, including the mechanism of injury, (such as bicycle, car or pedestrian accidents) falls or penetrating wounds. He will also talk about other ways the new trauma center impacts the community, including its commitment to promoting safety and injury prevention.

Washington Health conducts extensive community outreach such as ongoing events and seminars on Stop the Bleed, fall prevention, choking intervention, and other important safety information. You can learn more about these and many other Health and Wellness educational opportunities at WashingtonHealth.com/HealthWellness.

Be sure to watch Dr. Morrison’s presentation so you will understand what your new local trauma center means for you and what it brings to the community. For more information on the Washington Health Trauma Center, visit www.WashingtonHealth.com/Trauma.