Manning Family Children’s is the first in Louisiana and the Gulf South to achieve Level I Pediatric Trauma Center Verification by the American College of Surgeons

As the only Level I Pediatric Trauma Center in the Gulf South, this verification reflects the highest level of pediatric trauma care with a commitment to serve as a regional leader in research and education.

NEW ORLEANS – This week, Manning Family Children’s received notification by the American College of Surgeons following a virtual site visit in December that the organization has been verified as a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center – the first of its kind in the Gulf South. Level I Trauma Centers differ not only in clinical capability, but in their leadership role within the larger trauma system.

“In addition to delivering comprehensive, around-the-clock care for our most seriously injured children, Level I Trauma Centers are responsible for advancing pediatric trauma care across the state and region,” said Dr. David Yu, Trauma Program Medical Director and incoming Chief Medical Officer for Manning Family Children’s. “As an expert resource and regional referral center, our team offers comprehensive, highly specialized, multi-disciplinary trauma care from prevention to rehabilitation.

Level I Trauma Centers ensure immediate access to pediatric trauma surgeons, specialized equipment, and intensive care units, often functioning as regional leaders in research and education. As a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center, Manning Family Children’s provides 24/7 in-house pediatric trauma expertise with immediate access to all required pediatric surgical subspecialties; maintains a dedicated Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU); serves as the primary referral center for the most complex pediatric trauma cases statewide and throughout the region; leads trauma education, training, and outreach for healthcare professionals and communities across the state and region; actively participates in trauma research and performance improvement; and plays a critical role in injury prevention and system-wide pediatric trauma readiness.

“Manning Family Children’s is committed to ensuring that nationally leading pediatric care for anything a child might need is available close to home, including those in need of lifesaving trauma care,” said Lucio A. Fragoso, President and Chief Executive Officer for Manning Family Children’s. “I am incredibly proud of our expert team of physicians, nurses, and other team members who have worked hard to expand the lifesaving impact of our trauma program. As the first in the Gulf South region to receive Level I Pediatric Trauma Center verification, this is another way we are working to push the boundaries of care.”

The ACS Trauma Verification, Review, and Consultation (VRC) Program is designed to assist hospitals in the evaluation and improvement of trauma care and provide objective, external review of institutional capability and performance. These functions are accomplished by an on-site review of the hospital by a peer review team, experienced in the field of trauma care. The team assesses commitment, readiness, resources, policies, patient care, performance improvement, and other relevant features of the program as outlined in ACS’s Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient. To learn more, visit www.facs.org.

For more than 70 years, Manning Family Children’s has proudly served as Louisiana’s only, freestanding, comprehensive children’s hospital with more than 600 pediatric-trained providers and 3,000 employees solely dedicated to the care of kids. In addition to comprehensive services offered at its main campus in New Orleans, Children’s operates a robust network of more than 30 satellite locations, pediatric affiliations across Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and robust and long- community programs designed to meet the health needs of the diverse communities it serves. At the heart of its mission, Manning Family Children’s is committed to delivering expert care for every child, every time – regardless of the family’s ability to pay.

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About Manning Family Children’s: Manning Family Children’s is a 263-bed, non-profit academic pediatric medical center that offers comprehensive healthcare services, including over 40 pediatric specialties, just for children. With more than 600 pediatric providers, Manning Family Children’s offers a comprehensive array of specialized pediatric services in Louisiana and the Gulf South. In addition to its main campus located in New Orleans, Children’s operates a network of specialty clinics across Louisiana, including in Covington, Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Lafayette, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Children’s offers primary care at 17 convenient locations, along with a network of statewide pediatric affiliations. Children’s is a proud member of LCMC Health, a Louisiana-based, not-for-profit hospital system which also includes New Orleans East Hospital, Touro, University Medical Center New Orleans, West Jefferson Medical Center, East Jefferson General Hospital, Lakeview Hospital, and Lakeside Hospital. Learn more at manningchildrens.org.