Nome hospital gets trauma designation

NOME - Norton Sound Regional Hospital in Nome has become Alaska's first Level IV trauma center, according to the state health department. The department set the criteria for Level IV centers. Hospitals must provide initial evaluation of injured patients, resuscitation, stabilization, as well as preparation of the patient needing to be transferred to another hospital. In 1999, the state certified the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage as a Level II trauma center, the highest designation in Alaska today.

• Photos