At Gordon Memorial Hospital District, keeping patients and the community informed about changes that may impact medical decision making is a priority. While it is hoped that you and your loved ones have not experienced a traumatic injury, when a serious injury does occur, getting the right level of care quickly is critical. Patients and families may notice a change in where trauma patients are being transferred, which can understandably raise questions. GMHD wants to reassure the community that every decision is made with patient safety in mind, with the goal of providing the safest and most appropriate care possible.
This article explains why trauma transfer patterns have changed, what a trauma center designation means, and how these decisions support patient safety.
What Changed with Trauma Transfers in Our Area
Recently, Regional West announced it is stepping down from a Trauma Level II designation to a Trauma Level III designation. Although the hospital continues to offer many of the same specialty services, trauma center designation plays an important role in determining where patients are transferred during an emergency.
Because of this change, Gordon Memorial Hospital District has updated its trauma transfer protocol. Patients with serious injuries are now most often transferred to Monument Health in Rapid City.
How This Affects GMHD Trauma Patients
In emergency situations, transfer decisions are based on the severity of injury and the level of care needed, not patient preference. Medical teams follow established guidelines from the Nebraska Statewide Trauma System to send patients to the closest appropriate trauma center.
For many patients in this area, that now means transfer to Monument Health in Rapid City for higher-level trauma care. While this may feel like a change, these decisions are made to support the best possible outcomes.
Understanding Trauma Centers
A trauma center is a hospital specially equipped to treat serious and life-threatening injuries. Because not all hospitals have the same capabilities, trauma centers are categorized by level.
- Level I Trauma Centers provide the highest level of care, with specialists available in-house 24 hours a day. In Nebraska, this includes CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center Bergan and Nebraska Medicine in Omaha.
- Level II Trauma Centers provide similar care, but specialists may be on call. In Nebraska, this includes Bryan Medical Center in Lincoln and CHI Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.
- Level III Trauma Centers provide general trauma care. They may have access to some specialty providers, but those services are not always available 24/7. Regional West in Scottsbluff is now categorized as a Level III trauma center. The next closest Level III center to our area is Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte, Nebraska.
- Level IV Trauma Centers, like Gordon Memorial Hospital District, provide initial evaluation and stabilization of trauma patients before transfer to a higher level of care when needed.
Trauma designations are set by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma, a voluntary process that ensures hospitals meet strict national standards.
Why Monument Health in Rapid City
With Regional West no longer holding the same trauma designation, it is no longer considered the closest appropriate trauma center for certain injuries under current guidelines.
As a result, Monument Health in Rapid City is now the primary destination for serious trauma patients from our area. It provides the required level of care and is a comparable distance for transport.
Our Commitment to Patient Care
At Gordon Memorial Hospital District, patient safety remains the top priority. Care teams are trained to quickly assess, stabilize, and transfer patients when needed, following established trauma protocols.
If patients or families have questions about trauma care or transfer decisions, they are encouraged to ask or call 308-282-0401. Understanding the process can help provide clarity during an emergency.
Brooklyn Mohman