Maui Hospital Achieves Level 3 Trauma Center Designation

L to R: Wesley Lo, Maui Region CEO; Dr. Linda Rosen; Anna Marie Later; Dr. Arthur Chasen; Sherry Lauer, State of Hawaii Trauma Coordinator and Dr. Les Chun.

By Wendy Osher

The Maui Memorial Medical Center was awarded designation as a Level 3 Trauma Center following evaluation and inspection conducted over a one-year period, the hospital announced.

They claim that with approximately 10,000 trauma-related Emergency Department visits, the MMMC has the second highest volume of trauma patients in the state.

State Senator Roz Baker of Maui, who helped to secure funds for the Hawaiʻi State Trauma System said the goal of bringing the Maui Memorial Medical Center up to a Level 3 Trauma Center, is to provide services to improve health care in the county while minimizing the impacts of trauma-related injuries, the announcement said.

Hospital representatives say trauma centers have been shown to reduce the risk of death caused by injuries by approximately 25%, compared to care at non-trauma facilities.

The designation was awarded by the Trauma Centers Association of America. The organization joined officials with the state Department of Health in conducting the inspection prior to designation.

Maui Memorial Medical Center is Maui’s only full-service, acute medical care facility, and is licensed for 213 acute care beds.