2 hospitals battle over trauma status

UF Health Jacksonville opposes Orange Park Medical Center's certification

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Two months after Orange Park Medical Center began operating as a Level 2 trauma center -- handling gunshot wounds and life-threatening injuries --  some said having a second trauma center outside Jacksonville's urban core is a lifesaver and is needed for people living in Clay County, St. Johns County and Jacksonville’s Westside.

UF Health Jacksonville is a Level 1 trauma center and is still fighting to remain the only trauma center in Northeast Florida, saying that having a second center within 20 miles dilutes medical care in the area.

OPMC said they have treated about 50 critically injured patients since the state gave it a preliminary license as a trauma center on May 1. The hospital said many of those patients would have been transported to UF Health had the Orange Park emergency room not been an option.

CEO Chad Patrick believes lives have been saved.

"Absolutely. Every day," Patrick said.

Level 2 means they can handle all emergency cases except for pediatric traumas. The state has given Orange Park temporary trauma status to see how well the hospital performs. UF Health Jacksonville is asking the state to reverse its decision.

Tim Callahan, who was injured while playing flag football about six years ago in Orange Park, was paralyzed from the neck down, but believes UF Health saved his life.

"A lot of prayers to God answered," Callahan said. "But without the doctors' hands and what they did. I mean, everything had to be done perfect."

In a letter to city leaders, Russ Armistead, CEO of UF Health, asked for their support in getting the state to take away OPMC's status as a trauma center.. He gave the following reasons:

  • An additional trauma center needlessly increases health care costs
  • It's a waste of resources. 
  • A majority of uninsured patients will continue to go to UF Health, while many who have insurance will go to OPMC


The CEO of Orange Park Medical center says that's not true.  

"I cannot speak to what UF Jacksonville thinks or believes," Patrick said. "We can go to what they said publicly, which is that they've made many overtures around ... the financial situation. It's unfortunate. We want to serve our community and take care of our patients who have suffered from traumatic injuries."

The state plans to evaluate the performance of OPMC's trauma center in about eight months and make a decision on whether to award it permanent status. 

 


About the Author:

Jim Piggott is the reporter to count on when it comes to city government and how it will affect the community.