A rendering of the proposed Level IV Trauma Center in Bradley County
Officials with the Erlanger Health System released an artistic rendering of their proposed Level IV Trauma Center in Bradley County, along with further details about the new free-standing emergency center.
Located at Exit 20 off I-75 and US 64, Erlanger’s proposed Level IV Trauma Center is expected to be a springboard for future development in and around the Spring Branch Industrial Park, said officials. “There is no question this facility will serve as the stimulus to future economic growth for this community, much as our healthcare system helped contribute to Volkwagen’s decision to build an automotive manufacturing plant in Chattanooga,” said Erlanger Lead Executive Joe Winick.
Ten years ago Mr. Winick met with officials of Volkswagen Group of America as they were finalizing plans for a new North America site. “Erlanger’s brand and broad range of services, our trauma care capabilities and commitment to improve the region’s quality of life played a significant role in VW’s decision to choose Chattanooga over other sites,” Mr. Winick said.
The proposed site in Bradley County is 27 miles from the downtown Erlanger Medical Center and Children’s Hospital campuses. Approximately three of 15 acres Erlanger has under agreement are set aside for the Level IV Trauma Center serving adults and children in both Bradley and Polk Counties. Erlanger has not yet developed plans for the remainder of the 15 acre site.
Plans for the new site include support facilities for EMS personnel and an ambulance park, 12 exam rooms, including trauma facilities, observation beds for monitoring patients, a cardiac catheterization suite with observation beds, CT scanner and catheterization laboratory, imaging equipment, lab and pharmacy services and a helipad. The new facility would be certified to treat both adults and children and serve as the only Level IV trauma center serving both Bradley and Polk counties.
Erlanger President and CEO Kevin Spiegel said, “Our goal is to serve those needing medical care closer to home, including the hundreds of Erlanger employees and their families who live and contribute to the economy in Bradley and Polk counties." Mr. Spiegel also noted that, “Nearly 20,000 residents from Bradley and Polk Counties left for care elsewhere last year, so there is obviously a need for this additional service in their community.”
“We are not seeking to replicate services in Bradley County,” Mr. Winick said. “We want to provide those in need, both adults and children, with the highest quality emergency center and trauma care closer to home. We also want to enable Bradley County EMS to reduce the number of transports to Chattanooga and Erlanger for emergency medical needs that could and should be treated locally,” he added. Mr. Winick said he expected patients seen at Erlanger’s Level IV Trauma Center requiring hospitalization would be treated at Tennova Hospital in Cleveland, whenever their needs and Tennova’s capabilities and medical staff are aligned.
Erlanger’s regional footprint in Bradley County already exists, with one of its six LIFE FORCE air ambulances based at the Cleveland Regional Jetport. Since moving its base from downtown Erlanger to the Cleveland Jetport facility, LIFE FORCE has transported nearly 500 Cleveland residents, who as members of the Air Med Care Network Membership, do not have to pay for air transportation services. Noted for providing “critical care in the air,” Erlanger’s Cleveland-based LIFE FORCE helicopter is equipped with cardiac monitors, ventilators, ultra sounds, as well as blood and plasma for inflight transfusions.
Erlanger has a similar free-standing emergency center in Dunlap, Tn. (Sequatchie County) and has received state approval to develop another Level 4 Trauma Center in Pikeville, Tn. (Bledsoe County.)