Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin has been re-designated as a level 4 trauma hospital by the Minnesota Department of Health. The medical center has been a part of Minnesota’s statewide trauma system since 2009.

The re-designation process included an outside review of the hospital’s resources and capabilities to care for trauma patients. Mayo Clinic Health System met standards of commitment, clinical and equipment resources and staff training. The medical center also participates in a continuous performance improvement process.

“Trauma is the third leading cause of death in Minnesota,” said Dr. Edward Ehlinger, Minnesota Commissioner of Health. “The goal of the trauma system is to decrease injured patients’ time to care by making sure their medical needs are appropriately matched with hospital resources. With the re-designation of Mayo Clinic Health System as a level 4 trauma hospital, we are getting closer to our goal of ensuring that seriously injured Minnesotans have access to an organized system of trauma care wherever they are in the state.”

Minnesota began developing a comprehensive statewide trauma system in August 2005.