Pediatric Trauma Center Designation Suspended
Fresno County officials on Friday announced that Children's Hospital Central California's pediatric trauma center designation has been suspended until the facility can meet state staffing requirements for medical specialists, the Fresno Bee reports.
Daniel Lynch, director of emergency medical services for Fresno County, said the designation was suspended after Children's in recent week declined several pediatric trauma cases.
The Bee reports that state EMS officials were notified after county officials made the decision.
Micheline Golden, a spokesperson for Children's, said the hospital is working to recruit one pediatric neurosurgeon and an additional pediatric surgeon to "reverse the suspension." She said one pediatric neurosurgeon and four pediatric surgeons currently have privileges at Children's and noted that physician staffing at the hospital complies with all other state requirements.
Shirley Tsagris, a spokesperson for the state Emergency Medical Services Authority, said the case is the first instance of a hospital having its trauma center designation suspended because of inadequate physician staffing.
University Medical Center in Fresno is treating pediatric trauma patients while Children's license is suspended (Correa, Fresno Bee, 10/7).
In related news, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) on Friday appointed David Herfindahl (R) of Montague to the Commission on Emergency Medical Services. Herfindahl is health officer and director of personnel health services and environmental health services at the Siskiyou County Health Department. He also is a medical adviser for the National Ski Patrol and Siskiyou County Search and Rescue.
Senate confirmation is not required for the position, which entails no compensation (Office of the Governor release, 10/6).