Trauma Center

Level III Trauma Center

Kona Community Hospital (KCH) attained Level III trauma center designation in 2011.  As a Level III trauma center, KCH provides resources for emergency resuscitation, stabilization, emergency surgery and intensive care of trauma patients.  This streamlines the process for treatment of traumatic injuries and decreases time needed for emergency care.

Level III trauma designation utilizes a team approach.  The team assembles in the emergency department when a patient meets trauma activation criteria, often in a pre-hospital setting.  Rapid response by the Trauma Center team provides optimal patient evaluation and stabilization, improved communications for rapid decision making for transfer to definitive care facilities and improved outcomes for trauma patients.

As a Level III trauma center, Kona Community Hospital is connected with the statewide trauma system.  Level III status means that Hawaii County is better equipped to reduce death rates from trauma.