Sanford Health Fargo Celebrates 10 years of Level II Pediatric Trauma Center Verification

Sanford Health Fargo is celebrating its 10th anniversary of being a Level II Pediatric Trauma Center.

Sanford Fargo Children’s Hospital achieved Level II Pediatric Trauma Center verification in June 2014 by the American College of Surgeons and is the only Level II Pediatric Trauma Center in North Dakota. Since achieving a Level II Pediatric Trauma Center status, Sanford Children’s has served more than 2,000 pediatric patients that meet the verification criteria.

“We have been honored to provide our community and the surrounding areas with life-saving services for children who are seriously injured,” said Erin Naylor, Sanford Fargo pediatric trauma coordinator. “Unfortunately, serious injuries occur to children every day, and we take a lot of pride in having the essential resources to provide world-class health care close to home.

In order to qualify as a Level II Pediatric Trauma Center, Sanford Fargo has 24-hour immediate trauma and critical care surgeon coverage, as well as coverage by orthopedic surgery, pediatric hospitalist coverage, neurosurgery, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, radiology, critical care and many more services. Sanford Children’s has 13 specially trained nurses on the pediatric trauma nurse team who consult to support patients, their families and the health care team.

In 2023, 302 pediatric patients under the age of 14 were admitted to Sanford Children’s Hospital for trauma-related injuries. In 2023, falls (42%) were the leading mechanism of injury for pediatric trauma injuries at Sanford Fargo, followed by  ATV accidents (9%), struck by accidents (not assaults, 6%) and animals (5%).

For more information on Sanford Children’s hospital, visit sanfordhealth.org.