The trauma center at Antelope Valley Hospital in Lancaster, a 420-bed hospital, has been verified as a Level II Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons. Verified trauma centers must meet the essential criteria that ensure trauma care capability and institutional performance as outlined by the American College of Surgeons’ Committee on Trauma. While the verification program does not designate trauma centers, the program does provide confirmation that a trauma center has demonstrated a commitment to high quality trauma care. The actual establishment and the designation of trauma centers is the function of local, regional, or state health care systems agencies, such as the local emergency medical services (EMS) authority. “The AV Hospital trauma care team is a highly skilled and educated group dedicated to saving lives,” Edward Mirzabegian, chief executive officer of Antelope Valley Hospital, said in a statement. “This talented team has provided care to over 1,275 patients since opening on May 3, 2010.”
