Fisher-Titus and Cleveland MetroHealth announce trauma partnership

Fisher-Titus Health and The MetroHealth System (Cleveland) have announced a new partnership that will enhance the level of trauma services available at Fisher-Titus Medical Center."We are excited to partner with this locally and nationally recognized provider of trauma care," said Dr. Brent Burkey, president, Fisher-Titus Health. "Through this collaboration, more trauma patients will be able to receive care at Fisher-Titus and remain in our community rather than being referred to another city."As part of this partnership, a MetroHealth team that includes physician and operational leadership will begin to co-manage the trauma program at Fisher-Titus starting this fall. Early in 2019, specialized trauma surgeons will begin working in coordination with Fisher-Titus physicians and staff to provide trauma care for patients."We know that patients want to receive care closer to home, and we are proud to bring our expert trauma services to the residents of Norwalk and the surrounding communities. This partnership allows patients to remain close to their families as they recover," said Dr. Bernard Boulanger, executive vice president and chief clinical officer at MetroHealth.Fisher-Titus is a Level III Trauma Center, a designation which was earned in 2009. As a Level III Trauma Center, surgical specialists are available 24 hours a day to provide comprehensive care to patients with traumatic injuries and to coordinate transfers to a higher level trauma facility when warranted."As we continue to proactively address the challenges of the ever-changing environment in the health care industry, strong collaborations such as this are critical to ensuring our community continues to have access to excellent care and for sustaining our success as an independent, community hospital that offers the highest level of care to our patients close to home," said Dr. Burkey.About Fisher-Titus Medical CenterFisher-Titus Medical Center serves Norwalk, Huron County and the region with the latest medical advancements providing the area's 70,000-plus residents a full continuum of care that includes Fisher-Titus Memorial Hospital, a 99-bed acute care hospital; Norwalk Memorial Home, a 69-bed skilled nursing facility; The Carriage House of Fisher-Titus, a 48-unit assisted living facility; and a Home Health Center. The Medical Center is part of the Fisher-Titus Health system that includes an employed physician group, emergency transportation service, and retail pharmacy.As a non-profit community hospital, Fisher-Titus Medical Center offers patients the most advanced technology and medical treatments possible while providing the highest level of personal care. With a dedicated and talented staff of employees and an outstanding team of physicians, Fisher-Titus has earned numerous national recognitions.The Medical Center is accredited by Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP) and also is recognized as a Primary Stroke Center and a Level 3 Trauma Center. Fisher-Titus Medical Center has received a Grade A in Patient Safety and has earned designation as one of the nation's Most Wired Hospitals every year since 2012. For more information, visit fishertitus.org.About The MetroHealth SystemThe MetroHealth System is an essential health system committed to providing health care to everyone in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and improving the health of the community overall. Its 7,500 employees deliver care to everyone at its main campus, just west of downtown Cleveland, and at more than 20 other MetroHealth locations. Two new hospitals have recently opened in Cleveland Heights and Parma, and MetroHealth also provides health care at more than 40 additional sites in Cuyahoga County through community partnerships.MetroHealth is home to Cuyahoga County's most experienced Level I Adult Trauma Center, verified since 1992 by the Committee on Trauma of the American College of Surgeons, and one of two adult and pediatric burn centers in the state of Ohio verified by the American Burn Association. MetroHealth also is home to a verified Level II Pediatric Trauma Center.In the past year, MetroHealth provided more than 1.4 million patient visits in its hospital and health centers. MetroHealth is also an academic medical center committed to teaching and research; each of its active physicians holds a faculty appointment at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. MetroHealth has earned Magnet status, which places it in the top six percent of all hospitals nationwide for nursing excellence.MetroHealth's mission is, "Leading the way to a healthier you and a healthier community through service, teaching, discovery and teamwork." For more information, visit metrohealth.org.Pictured are Dr. Jeffrey Claridge, trauma surgeon and director, trauma Services, MetroHealth (left) and Dr. Brent Burkey, president, Fisher-Titus Health.