Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center Earns Level IV Trauma Center Designation

Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center has achieved designation as a Level IV Trauma Center, a significant milestone that enhances its ability to deliver critical, life-saving care to the community. This achievement underscores the hospital’s commitment to providing advanced trauma care and stabilizing patients during emergencies when time is of the essence.

“Achieving trauma certification is a significant milestone for us and the communities we serve,” Ashley Herrington, Chief Executive Officer of Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center, said. “This accomplishment reflects the unwavering commitment of our entire team to provide exceptional care when it matters most. At Owensboro Health, we are dedicated to advancing healthcare access and ensuring that every patient receives the highest standard of care, right here in their local community.”

What is a Level IV Trauma Center?

Level IV Trauma Centers play a critical role in emergency care by providing Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) to patients with severe and life-threatening injuries. Staffed by a dedicated, multidisciplinary team available 24/7, OHTLMC has the expertise and equipment to stabilize patients before transferring them to higher-level trauma centers, if necessary.

While Level IV centers may not have the resources of larger facilities, their services are vital in smaller communities where access to immediate trauma care can mean the difference between life and death. “The goal is to provide stabilization and rapid transfer when needed,” said Cathy Stewart, Chief Nursing Officer at OHTLMC. “These services significantly increase the chances of survival.”

A Lifeline for the Community

The Level IV designation is especially meaningful to the local community, where access to timely trauma care is crucial. With proximity to the Western Kentucky Parkway, a robust agricultural area, and popular recreational destinations like Nolin Lake and Rough River Lake, the region has unique risks for injuries.

“The location of our trauma center allows for faster access to critical care,” Stewart explained. “This can improve patient outcomes and reduce transfer times, which is often life-saving.”

Beyond emergency response, OHTLMC also emphasizes injury prevention through community outreach. Programs like Fitt Fiddle, recognized at the 2024 Kentucky Trauma Symposium, educate residents on ways to avoid accidents and injuries.

Team Effort in Achieving Certification

Securing Level IV recertification was a collaborative effort involving a multidisciplinary team of leaders and team members at OHTLMC. “It was truly a team accomplishment,” Stewart said. “The trauma department at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital mentored us throughout the process and helped ensure our success.”

The certification process required meeting rigorous standards. Emergency physicians maintain current ATLS certification and complete annual education, while nurses hold TNCC (Trauma Nursing Core Course) certification. The hospital also follows strict protocols for trauma activation, transfer agreements, and continuous performance improvement.

What’s Next?

Stewart noted that OHTLMC is focused on the continuous improvement of its trauma services and hopes to pursue additional specialty certifications to further enhance care.

A Personal Mission

For Stewart, the Level IV designation is more than just a professional accomplishment. “It’s important to me personally,” she shared. “Knowing that my friends, family, or loved ones can receive the trauma care they need, close to home, means everything.”

As OHTLMC continues to build on this achievement, the hospital reaffirms its commitment to being a trusted resource for advanced, compassionate care in the moments that matter most.