The Verification Review Committee (VRC) has verified the trauma center at Dignity Health St. Mary Medical Center as a Level II Trauma Center for the 30th year in a row, the hospital announced today.

The hospital has received this designation since 1985 from the VRC, an ad hoc committee of the Committee on Trauma (COT) of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). The verification program “promotes the development of trauma centers in which participants provide not only the hospital resources necessary for trauma care, but also the entire spectrum of care to address the needs of all injured patients. This spectrum encompasses the pre-hospital phase through the rehabilitation process,” according to a statement.

In order to receive verification, hospitals must meet the essential criteria that ensure trauma care capability and institutional performance, as written in Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient manual, by the ACS’ Committee on Trauma.

The ACS Committee on Trauma’s verification program does not designate trauma centers, but provides confirmation that the trauma center is committed to providing the highest level of quality trauma care for all injured patients.

Joel Yuhas, President/CEO of Dignity Health St. Mary Medical Center, said in a statement he was proud the hospital was being recognized.

“St. Mary Medical Center is known for patient safety and well-being,” he said. “I’m proud of our Emergency Department and the fantastic clinicians who take care of our trauma patients. It is significant that St. Mary has achieved this Trauma Level II verification of high quality.”