Speare Memorial Hospital earns Level IV Trauma Center designation

PLYMOUTH — Speare Memorial Hospital received a provisional Adult & Pediatric Level IV Trauma Center designation from a division of the NH Department of Safety. The designation is provisional until October 2024, following an evaluation by the State.

"Having a Level IV Trauma Designation validates that Speare Memorial Hospital is highly capable and committed to providing exceptional care to all trauma patients," said 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 proficiency at 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. The committee reviews trauma cases, creates policies, and ensures medical providers are delivering the most up-to-date, evidence-based trauma care to patients.

The hospital's efforts benefit from 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," said 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.”

Learn more at spearehospital.com.