Lehigh Valley Hospital-Hecktown Oaks a Level IV adult trauma center

Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Hecktown Oaks received Level IV Adult Trauma Center accreditation Tuesday. 

The designation makes it the fifth Lehigh Valley Health Network hospital to receive trauma center accreditation, LVHN said. 

The accreditation, approved by the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation (PTSF), the accrediting body for trauma centers, makes it the fifth LVHN hospital to receive accreditation. 

Trauma centers typically treat patients injured in falls, motor vehicle crashes, industrial accidents and other situations that produce life-threatening injuries. There are 50 approved trauma centers in Pennsylvania. 

LVHN’s other accredited trauma centers are LVH–Cedar Crest (Adult Level I and Pediatric Level II), LVH–Muhlenberg (Level II), LVH–Pocono (Level III) and LVH–Hazleton (Level IV). 

Level IV Trauma Centers provide enhanced care to injured patients within the emergency department and focus on stabilization and quick transfer to a higher‐level trauma center.  

“Achieving Level IV Trauma Center accreditation is a great milestone for this facility, which has been open for less than two years. We’re providing trauma care, close to home, when it’s needed most,” said Luis Puentes, president, LVH–Hecktown Oaks.