CLEVELAND — With the presidential debate set in Cleveland just days away, preparations are underway to make sure every "t" is crossed and every "i" is dotted, and a part of that is ensuring medical care is accessible to the president if need be. That part of the planning is in the hands of University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center.
The debate, being held at the Case Western Reserve University school of Medicine, will have access to the Level 1 Trauma Center at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, which provides immediate access to top tier trauma treatment .
University Hospitals said that it’s part of the White House Medical Unit’s responsibility to develop medical contingency plans, and its facilities will stand ready during the debates.
“Caring for critically-injured patients requires a dedicated team that is always ready to respond,” said Amy Rushing, MD, medical director of Trauma Services at UH. “For patients with severe injuries, any delay in care negatively impacts the odds for recovery. It’s our job to ensure that specialized trauma care is timely, ultimately maximizing the patient’s chance for survival.”
The hospital’s close location provides access to quick, life-saving care in cases of traumatic injury such as blunt trauma, ballistic trauma, penetrating injuries, and spinal cord injuries.
UH Cleveland Medical Center holds a Level 1 Trauma Center verification status from the American College of Surgeons and is nationally recognized for its standards in all aspects of injury care, UH said.
“The Level 1 Trauma Center at UH Cleveland Medical Center was recently re-verified during a comprehensive visit by members of the ACS Verification Review Committee,” said Matthew Moorman, MD, division chief of trauma at UH. “This process repeats every three years and ensures that all trauma centers are providing care commensurate with ACS standards. In addition to trauma surgeons, our team of trauma specialists include anesthesiologists, neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, vascular surgeons, and plastic surgeons. We see an incredibly high volume of patients with complex injuries requiring this multidisciplinary team to work together for the best outcome. What that means to our community is that we stand ready with a proven track record of excellence to care for any injury, at any time."
The hope is that UH Cleveland Medical Center is not deemed necessary during the debate, but having a contingency plan with a more-than-capable facility nearby is always a good thing.
RELATED: Preparations underway for Sept. 29 presidential debate in Cleveland
