Family Guide to Trauma Care

trauma_familyguide.jpgYour loved one is in the best of hands.

Thousands of accidents and serious injuries happen every day. But when it’s your loved one, you want to make sure they’re getting the very best care. Here at Cooper, they are.

In fact, Cooper University Hospital is one of the premier trauma facilities in the entire country. Right now, your loved one is surrounded by the latest equipment, the most state-of-the-art technology and the region’s finest health care professionals. Our care experts have the knowledge and experience to handle the most critical injuries and do so every day. In fact, the Cooper Trauma Center handles more than 2,000 cases a year – the most in the entire Delaware Valley.

The Level 1 Trauma Center At Cooper University Hospital

The Trauma Center at Cooper University Hospital is a New Jersey state-designated Level 1 Trauma Center. Cooper Trauma serves as the regional referral Trauma Center for South Jersey, which includes Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester,Mercer, Ocean and Salem counties.

A Level 1 Trauma Center cares for severely injured patients which include people involved in motor vehicle crashes, falls, pedestrian accidents, work-related accidents and interpersonal violence. Level 1 Trauma Centers have the latest technology and highly experienced staff available to care for your family member, as well as 24-hour immediate access to Trauma Surgeons, Operating Rooms, Blood Bank, Radiology and Dialysis.

Patient Spokesperson

The family must designate one family member as a spokesperson. This person will be given all relevant information regarding patient care and progress. This person is encouraged to call the Trauma Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Trauma Step Down Unit, North 7 or the Trauma Service Office with questions or for updates. This spokesperson may then share information as he/she wishes.

We must limit official communication to one spokesperson due to confidentiality issues and federal guidelines/regulations. The designated spokesperson must be able to give legal consent for operations for procedures, if necessary.

Trauma Staff

The Trauma Center Staff includes board-certified trauma surgeons with advanced training in trauma and critical care, registered nurses and technicians specializing in trauma, anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, respiratory therapists and specialists in pediatric, neurological, orthopedic, cardiac, and related fields.

Trauma Admitting Area (TAA)

The Trauma Admitting Area is the area in which emergency assessment and treatment occurs. From this area, patients may be transported to radiology for CT scan, the operating room or an inpatient unit for admission. Assessment and stabilization must occur quickly and efficiently; therefore, bedside visiting in this area is usually not permitted. As soon as possible, a member of the trauma team will speak with you.

Trauma Surgical Intensive Care Unit

The Trauma Intensive Care Unit is a 16-bed unit staffed with registered nurses, trauma technicians, respiratory therapists, resident physicians and trauma surgeons, who are in the hospital 24-hours a day. This is an open area and multiple surgical procedures are performed at the bedside. The access doors to the unit are secured at all times to maintain patient privacy and security. The protection of our patients from outside infection and respecting their privacy during care requires structured visiting hours. Visiting hours may be delayed due to patient emergencies or extended physician rounds. Please call the Trauma ICU to verify visiting hours start time. Visitors will be provided a full hour with their loved one. You will be able to speak with a member or the trauma team for condition updates.

Visiting hours are flexible during admission time and are dependent on patient condition and unit activity. Family work and transportation needs will be considered. Arrangements to accommodate schedules will be developed.

Trauma Intensive Care Visiting Hours
9 a.m. – 11 p.m.
For immediate family only
Two visitors at a time, please!
Children younger than 12 not permitted; exceptions determined by clinical staff.

Trauma Step Down Unit (TSDU)

The Trauma Step Down Unit is a nine-bed intermediate care unit. Patients with serious but less critical injuries can be admitted directly to TSDU. Patients may also be transferred to TSDU from the Trauma Surgical Intensive Care Unit when their clinical condition has improved but close monitoring may still be required. The TSDU is staffed with registered nurses, critical care technicians, clinical nurse specialist and resident physicians. A trauma attending physician completes daily patient care rounds directing the plan of care. The trauma attending is available to the patient’s identified spokesperson to answer questions and provide clinical updates upon request.
The TSDU is an open nursing unit, necessitating structured visiting hours for patient privacy and to allow for care of our patients. Visiting hours may be delayed due to patient emergencies or procedures. Visitors will be provided a full hour with their loved one.

Trauma Step Down Unit Visiting Hours
9 a.m. – 11 p.m.
For immediate family only
Two visitors at a time, please!
Children younger than 12 are not permitted; exceptions will be determined by clinical staff.

North 7 Trauma Floor

North 7 Trauma is a 24-bed unit staffed with registered nurses, technicians, resident physicians, clinical nurse specialists and attending trauma surgeons. Nursing and technical staff on N7 have received training specific to the care of the trauma patient. Care provided on N7 is goal-directed, consistent and in continuation with the care provided in TICU.

North 7 Trauma Floor Visiting Hours
9 a.m. – 11 p.m.
No more than two visitors at a time, please!

Patient and Family Support Services

SOCIAL SERVICES/CASE MANAGEMENT: 856.342.2201
Social Services/Case Management has a social worker and a nurse case manager assigned to the Trauma Intensive Care Unit, Trauma Step Down Unit and the North 7 Trauma Floor. You will be assigned a nurse case manager and a social worker within 24 hours of admission. The case manager will do an assessment and facilitate your plan of care. The social worker will assist as needed for discharge plans such as insurance, extended care and rehabilitation facilities. The case manager and social worker will work together to assist you and your family with any needs that arise.

PASTORAL CARE/CHAPLAIN: 856.342.2197
There are many clergy members available at any time to assist you and your loved one during the stay in the Trauma Center. The pastoral staff will assist with contacting specific denomination support as requested. The Hospital Chapel is located on the first floor, Room #111. The Chapel is open 24 hours per day year round.

FAMILY SUPPORT TEAM
Trauma patients and families are encouraged to use members of this team to help deal with the emotional impact of trauma. Traumatic injury affects patients and families in many different ways because of the anxiety, fear, pain, lack of sleep and possible long-term hospitalization. Members of this team will be available in a supportive and resource-directing capacity. Please ask you nurse or social worker to contact the team for you.

PARKING
The parking garage is adjacent to the main hospital and is accessible 24 hours a day year round. Rates are posted at the entrance of the lot. Valet Service is available from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday to Friday. If the main lot is full, the parking attendant will provide direction to alternative parking. A parking discount is offered to families of patients with an extended stay after the 15th hospital day. This discount is obtained at the security desk located on the first floor of the main hospital building.

LODGING
Lodging is available for families who live too far to commute back and forth from the hospital. You can find a list of local lodging facilities in our patient guide.