Azle hospital receives Level IV Trauma Center designation

Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Azle was designated a Level IV Trauma Center by the Texas Department of State Health Services.

“The Level IV trauma designation is one more way to emphasize to the community that we are committed to providing more comprehensive health care,” said Winjie Tang Miao, president of Texas Health Azle.

The hospital is the only trauma-designated facility in Northwest Tarrant County and operates a seven-bed emergency department that sees, on average, 60 patients per day.

To qualify for the designation, which is reviewed every three years, the hospital must prove it has the necessary equipment and resources to handle various trauma cases. Officials at Texas Health Azle review trauma cases every week for advance best practices, and the radiology and surgery departments can deliver services to trauma patients 24/7.

“This designation signifies our ability to treat very sick patients,” said Dr. Shawn Davis, medical director of emergency services at the hospital. “We want our patients to know that we have the capabilities in Azle and relationships with other acute care hospitals if a higher level of care is necessary.”

Arlington Memorial receives

environmental awards

Two national environmental awards were given to Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital for its programs centered on reducing its environmental footprint.

Practice Greenhealth gave the hospital its Partner for Change award and its Making Medicine Mercury-Free award at its annual conference this year. The organization is a national association focused on environmentally-responsible health care.

The Partner for Change award is for hospitals with exemplary programs for eliminating mercury, reducing waste and preventing pollution. At least 10 percent of a hospitalÂ’s waste must be recycled in order to qualify for the award. The Making Medicine Mercury-Free recognizes those that have virtually eliminated mercury from campuses.

Waste pickup is less frequent and the hospital has reduced affiliated costs than in the past, said Edward Flores, Texas Health Arlington MemorialÂ’s director of environmental services. This is due to the hospital launching its first recycling program in June 2008; recycling has increased by 56 tons and solid waste decreased by almost 200 tons. Food waste compost is donated to the University of Texas at Arlington for landscaping, a program organized by Paula Cantu, the hospitalÂ’s director of nutrition services.

“We are reinforcing our commitment to public health by reducing waste and hazardous chemicals and making a cleaner environment for future generations,” said Kirk King, president of the hospital.

Carrier receives award from

Texas Dietetic Association

Judith Carrier, president of Tarrant County College Southeast Campus, was given the annual Bluebonnet Award from the Texas Dietetic Association, an affiliate of the American Dietetic Association.

The association is a professional organization with more than 4,000 registered dietitians, dietetic technicians and students who provide expertise on food and nutrition in various settings. Carrier was honored with the award for her contributions to the advancement of nutrition and dietetics in the state.

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