If you or family members are brought to Upland Hills Health by ambulance you may be tagged!  It’s all part of a state-wide effort to raise the level of preparedness for large scale events that could involve many trauma patients. By implementing the tagging process on a regular basis—Tuesdays—Upland Hills Health Emergency Services will be able to hone the hospital’s trauma care skills—offering the community even more effective care in the event of an emergency.

“In an incident where there are many patients involved, a triage tag will help both the EMS ambulances and the hospital emergency room staff  to prioritize care of you, your loved ones and neighbors,” states Lisa Faherty-Bilse RN,BSN Trauma/Emergency Preparedness Specialist at Upland Hills Health.

Triage is a “sorting” process that occurs daily with every ambulance and Emergency Department in an effort to quickly assess a patient’s immediate needs and necessary urgent care.  It allows healthcare providers to better serve patients and minimize the impact of traumatic injuries.

The Wisconsin Trauma Care System estimates a potential to prevent up to 20% of injury deaths and save up to 650 lives in one year with the implementation of a statewide system of integrated trauma care. Upland Hills Health is proud to be selected as one of the first test sites for this progressive program.

Wisconsin Trauma Care System announced Trauma Care Week as June 25-July 1, 2006.

Upland Hills Health Emergency Department staff pose with Mineral Point and Dodgeville EMT squads prior to Emergency Services meeting introducing the new “Triage Tuesdays” initiative
The “Triage Tuesday” program allows area EMTs and Upland Hills Health to implement effective trauma care for mass casualty events on a regular basis.