A quick response time to a serious or life threatening injury can save a life. Aspirus Wausau Hospital (AWH) has been saving lives as a Level II trauma center for ten years this month.

AWH first became verified by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma as a Level II adult trauma center on October 6, 2008. This verification means the hospital is able to initiate definitive care for all injured patients.

“This is a great benefit to the community,” says Jennie Larson, trauma program medical director. “Many communities do not have this resource. The need for excellent trauma care for the injured in any community is just as important as other medical care such as cardiovascular and cancer care. All of which contribute to the survival of our most critical patients.” 

The quality of Aspirus trauma care goes beyond Wausau. It’s expands to rural areas throughout the entire Aspirus healthcare system. Currently, all four Wisconsin Aspirus hospitals are verified trauma centers.  The Aspirus Michigan hospitals have received or are working towards their trauma verifications. 

“We’re serving communities in areas where people don’t have access to immediate healthcare,” says AWH Trauma Program Manager Sara Steen. “Although 15-20% of the nation’s population lives in rural areas, more than 50% of trauma deaths occur in those areas.”

To date, AWH has treated over 14,000 patients as a primary referral hospital for north central Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. For more information, visit aspirus.org.