After a rigorous observation and review process, the State of Nebraska has designated Kearney Regional Medical Center as a Level III General Level Trauma Center. This means the hospital is equipped to care for trauma patients while committing to educating staff and coordinating with local EMS systems and the State of Nebraska.

Said Kearney Regional Medical Center CEO Bill Calhoun, “This is an exciting milestone for the entire KRMC team, and many years in the making. Becoming a designated trauma center fulfills our mission to improve the health of the people and communities we serve.”

Hospital trauma designations are determined according to varying criteria, including surgical resources and patient volumes.

Currently, there are six Level III Trauma Designated Hospitals in the state of Nebraska: Columbus Community Hospital, Faith Regional Health Services (Norfolk), Great Plains Regional Medical Center (North Platte), Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital (Hastings), CHI Health St. Elizabeth (Lincoln) and CHI Health St. Francis Medical Center (Grand Island).

Bryan Medical Center West (Lincoln), CHI Health Good Samaritan Hospital (Kearney) and Regional West Medical Center (Scottsbluff) have Level II designation. CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center Bergan (Omaha) and Nebraska Medicine (Omaha) are the state’s only Level I trauma centers.

“We are thrilled to be part of the Nebraska Statewide Trauma System. We have worked very hard to achieve General Level status and are dedicated to providing excellent trauma care here at Kearney Regional Medical Center,” said Trauma Program Coordinator Katie Fitch, RN.

Kearney Regional Medical Center first opened its Emergency Room in November 2016. It currently sees between 750 and 800 patients a month. Kearney Regional Medical Center has contracts with multiple community ambulance services as well as helicopter flight services.