OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital Receives Provisional Level III Trauma Center Status by State of Ohio

The state of Ohio has granted Provisional Level III Trauma Center status to OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital, effective Nov. 4, 2024, making it the first and only trauma center in the Dublin community, including the St Rt. 33 NW corridor. 

“We are honored to bring advanced trauma care and services to Dublin and surrounding communities,” Cherie Smith, PhD, MBA, RN, president of OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital and OhioHealth Grady Memorial Hospital, said. “We are grateful for the trust our community has instilled in us for their care, and investing in services has prepared our teams even more to keep high acuity care closer to home.” 

The Trauma Program has successfully met the requirements as defined by the state of Ohio to become a Provisional Level III Trauma Center. This process included a program evaluation by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Committee on Trauma. OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital can now provide care for acute injuries and conditions close to where people live and work. 

According to ACS, Level III Trauma Centers offer “prompt assessment, resuscitation, stabilization, emergency surgery, intensive care, and rehabilitation of injured patients. All designated Trauma Centers (Levels I, II, and III) have the resources to provide 24-hour specialized care for injured patients. Level III Trauma Centers serve smaller communities to definitively treat moderately injured patients and to stabilize those severely injured patients that may require a transfer to a higher-level trauma center. 

“As the greater Dublin community grows so does its need for specialized care,” Jason Straus, MD, trauma medical director OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital said. “This is specifically true in trauma as it involves interventions that can be time-critical for preservation of life. In addition, keeping this care local supports both patient and family on the road to recovery,” 

Trauma centers are designed to provide specialized resources within the community to minimize the time needed to provide definitive care and recovery. Level III Trauma Centers treat injuries to the brain, chest, spine, and orthopedic injuries (extremity fractures). 

This advancement is part of the Dublin Methodist expansion project OhioHealth announced in July. The project is the largest planned expansion of Dublin Methodist since it opened in 2008. It will include the Provisional Level III Trauma Center status and will increase the hospital’s inpatient and critical care capacity.