Trauma

The primary function of CHI Health Good Samaritan's Trauma Program is to promote high-quality care of trauma patients from time of injury through dismissal from the hospital. In addition, the hospital is actively involved in trauma prevention efforts in Kearney and surrounding communities.

Level II Trauma Center and Primary Stroke Center

CHI Health Good Samaritan is designated as an Advanced Level II Trauma Center by the Nebraska Statewide Trauma System, which demonstrates the ability to meet stringent criteria reflecting commitment, excellence and assurance of high quality care for all trauma patients. Good Samaritan is also designated as a primary stroke center.

Many people have the misconception that trauma care involves only the ambulance system and the emergency department, but it actually involves much more. As a trauma center, CHI Health Good Samaritan provides all the resources needed to care for injured patients from the pre-hospital phase through the rehabilitation phase, including staff, equipment and expertise. Care of trauma patients is a team effort involving everyone in the hospital from housekeeping to X-ray, and from pharmacy to physicians.

Trauma Care You Can Count On

• As the region’s highest-level trauma center, our ER stands ready 24/7 for every emergency.
• Staffed with Emergency Medicine physicians and trauma-trained nurses
• Coverage by general surgery, orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, cardiology, neurology, radiology and critical care
• Supporting services are available 24/7, including anesthesiology, lab and pharmacy
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, cares for babies 30 weeks and older and is staffed by neonatal nurse practitioners and specially-trained nurses. Our neonatal transport team is ready in a moment’s notice to transport critically-ill infants.

AirCare - When Minutes Count

AirCare proudly provides service to central Nebraska and northern Kansas, transporting patients to destination facilities in cities such as Kearney, Lincoln, Omaha, Wichita, Kansas City and Denver. Our experienced flight teams are ready to take off at a moment’s notice, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

AirCare offers:

• Ability to transport two patients and up to three medical providers
  
• Knowledgeable and experienced flight nurses with certifications in ACLS, PALS, NRP, TNCC, TPATC. Nurses have at least one certification in flight, emergency or critical care nursing.
• Ability to carry life saving products, like blood and critical care medications, on the aircraft.
• Over 40 years of experience in adhering to the highest industry standards for safety, quality and care in patient transportation. AirCare is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems.
• An average cruising speed of over 170 mph, faster than other helicopter air ambulances in the region.

Trauma Outreach and Education

The trauma program serves as an educational and clinical resource for local and regional trauma service providers, including physicians, nurses, paramedics and other clinical personnel involved in the care of injured patients. This is accomplished through such activities as workshops, presentations and regularly updated mailings to communities in the surrounding referral area.

In addition, trauma prevention efforts in Kearney and surrounding communities help boost public awareness through many forums including bike rodeos, classes promoting responsible decision-making -- seat belt use and drinking and driving, car seat safety and numerous other programs. 

The Dr. Kenton L. Shaffer Emergency Care Center at CHI Health Good Samaritan is also always available and is equipped to treat critical illnesses and serious injuries.