CLEVELAND, Ohio \u2014 The Cleveland Clinic announced plans Thursday to establish a Level I trauma center at its main campus in Cleveland.<\/p>\n
The Clinic said it is pursuing accreditation for the Level 1 trauma center that would serve both adults and children. It would open in 2028. <\/p>\n
MetroHealth swiftly responded, calling on the Clinic \u201cto reevaluate its plans.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMetroHealth is alarmed for our community and calls on the Cleveland Clinic to reevaluate its plans,\u201d the statement said. \u201cLike similarly sized metropolitan areas, Greater Cleveland cannot sustain three Level I Trauma Centers. It will harm patient outcomes and increase costs for the entire community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cleveland.com reached out to the Clinic for a response to MetroHealth\u2019s statement.<\/p>\n
Hospitals with Level I trauma centers are able to treat life- or limb-threatening injuries, including gunshot or stab wounds, serious falls, traumatic brain injuries, car crash injuries, industrial accidents and blunt force trauma. Such injuries are a leading cause of death for people aged 1 to 44, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. <\/p>\n
The Clinic\u2019s trauma center would newly provide around-the-clock access to specialized surgeons, physicians, and critical care experts, the health system said. Level I trauma centers also conduct research, train healthcare providers, serve as teaching hospitals and provide public health education focused on injury prevention, the Clinic said. <\/p>\n
Plans for the trauma center include a possible expansion of the Main Campus Emergency Department, hiring trauma specialists, and training current staff. The Clinic\u2019s new neurological building, set to open in 2027, will enhance the trauma center\u2019s ability to provide care, Clinic officials said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s important to reduce the risks associated with transferring critical patients outside the Clinic\u2019s health system for treatment,\u201d said Dr. Miguel Regueiro, chief of the Clinic\u2019s digestive disease institute and a leader of the project.<\/p>\n
The Clinic plans to collaborate with local government, community leaders, accreditation bodies, and internal departments on the creation of the new trauma center.<\/p>\n
Existing trauma centers in Northeast Ohio<\/p>\n
MetroHealth opened its Level 1 adult trauma center in 1992. <\/p>\n
MetroHealth also offers a Level II pediatric trauma center. Both trauma are on its main campus on W. 25th Street. <\/p>\n