Medical services only available at HCMC
Each year, more than 3,000 Minnesotans are transported to HCMC – the state’s largest Level 1 trauma center. There they receive life-saving, specialty medical services only available at HCMC. Specialty services like hyperbaric oxygen treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning, critical burn care, or surgical procedures.
Like running water, medical and surgical specialists are expected to be there on demand. But, as HCMC faces the loss of $43 million in 2010 and $50 in 2011 due to the elimination of the General Assistance Medical Care program - which pays for many patients’ care at HCMC - critical specialty programs and services are at risk. These are services most people don’t think about until it’s a matter of life or death.
Kristen Melby realized how important access to specialty surgical services is when her son fractured his leg in three places and needed immediate surgery.
“After seeking treatment at two other medical facilities, we learned that most hospitals don’t have ‘weekend coverage’ for pediatric orthopedic surgeons,” Kristen said. The Melbys were sent to HCMC where they “discovered immediately a first-rate facility with staff ready for action…HCMC has a national reputation as a trauma center and they earn it every day.” (Star Tribune.com, April 29, 2009)
Bob and Denise VanSteen from Walker learned more than they ever expected about critical burn care when a house fire sent Bob by air ambulance to the HCMC Burn Center. In a letter published in the Walker newspaper, the VanSteens reported, “With the excellent care from the Hennepin County Medical Center Burn Unit, Bob is on his way to recovery.” (The Pilot Independent/walkermn.com, June 11, 2009)
The health care system is just that, a system. Hospitals and clinics across the state work together every day to provide a network of services. HCMC is vital to the critical care network, coming through for patients in big and small ways.
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