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SUNNY Temp: 67 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Wednesday, June 18, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend May 18, 2003 Neurosurgeon shortage affects broader region Local hospitals don’t have enough specialists to treat patients from neighboring counties By BILL KETTLER Mail Tribune For want of another neurosurgeon, Medford’s two hospitals can’t accept patients from neighboring counties who have life-threatening injuries. With neurosurgeons in short supply, a Jackson County resident involved in a car crash in Josephine or Klamath counties might wake up in a hospital in Bend, Eugene or Portland. Oregon’s system for treating trauma patients won’t allow local hospitals to accept patients from outlying areas without adding more neurosurgeons, said Susan Werner, trauma system manager. "There aren’t enough neurosurgeons to take patients beyond the local catchment area," Werner said. Advertisement Werner said the state trauma system sets staffing and equipment standards to ensure that people with serious injuries get the care they need. Patients are treated at the nearest hospital that provides the appropriate level of care. Hospitals are rated from 1 (highest) to 4 (lowest). Level 1 and 2 hospitals commit to a higher standard of care and provide enough physicians to ensure appropriate care seven days a week, 24 hours a day. State rules allow hospitals to transfer patients to another hospital that offers a higher level of care, but not to a hospital that functions at the same level. Until April 2002, Medford’s two hospitals were classified as level 2 trauma centers. Both had to step down to level 3 when they could not provide adequate numbers of surgeons to continue to meet level 2 standards. The hospitals and surgeons had made arrangements that would have allowed them to regain level 2 trauma certification just as the number of neurosurgeons fell below level 2 standards. "Everything’s ready to go, except we don’t have enough neurosurgeons," said Dr. Elliott Meyerding, director of trauma at Rogue Valley Medical Center and Providence Medford Medical Center. "We can’t move forward to the next level of care if we don’t have enough neurosurgeons." Six neurosurgeons covered emergency care a year ago, but their numbers fell to four after Dr. Douglas Kirkpatrick retired and Dr. Thomas Purtzer lost his malpractice insurance for neurosurgery. Werner said the region realistically needs at least five neurosurgeons to meet level 2 standards. "The best-case scenario is five or more practicing in an area." Trauma care in rural areas is one of the first victims of physician shortages, Werner said. "In the rural world, trauma systems are understaffed. The more rural your community gets, the more difficult it is to attract and keep specialists. "It’s supply and demand," she said, "and the demand is pretty great." Reach reporter Bill Kettler at 776-4492, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times