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For Executive Protection Professionals: Tips for Medical Facility Advance & Understanding Trauma Level Ratings

Advance work is one of the most critical pieces to a protection operation, if not the most critical piece short of covering and evacuating a Protectee from a threat.

With the notion of reducing risk and minimizing threat, Executive Protection professionals deploy to locations all over the world to make best-laid plans in preparation of the Protectee’s arrival.

Identifying suitable medical facilities is one of the key responsibilities of the Advance. There are a number of ways to approach a medical facilities advance. However, a primary piece of information to ascertain is their trauma level rating.

Trauma level ratings are determined by the American College of Surgeons (ACS).

• Level I – Treats a minimally required number of trauma patients each year. Offers 24-hour emergency treatment 7 days a week by a complete set of specialists including anesthesiologists, emergency and critical care, neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, plastic surgeons, and other specialists. Offers full critical care services in addition to research, preventative, and outreach programs. Must be superior in injury prevention solutions, trauma education, and trauma recovery. Must be a major referral center for the neighboring regions.
• Level II – Works in collaboration with the Level I center. May not have 24-hour availability of all needed specialists and professionals, but can provide the same trauma care and management as a Level I center. Does not have research or surgical residency programs.
• Level III – Does not have 24-hour availability of specialists but can provide a comprehensive trauma care with emergency resuscitation, surgery, critical care required by most trauma patients. Has transfer agreements with Level I and II centers for back-up of severely injured patients.

In addition to identifying the medical facility with the highest trauma rating, it is also essential to find out in advance if they accept the insurance held by the Protectee. If not, it is recommended to identify an alternate medical facility that does. While this is irrelevant in a life or death situation, if it is a non-life threatening medical issue, knowing this information up front demonstrates you left no stone unturned in your advance work.

Knowing as much about your Protectee’s medical history as he or she will disclose is extremely helpful, as this will allow you to provide potentially useful information to attending physicians in the event your Protectee cannot speak for his/herself. This includes food and drug allergies.

It is recommended to meet with a high-level hospital administrator and the Emergency Room Director during a hospital advance. This will allow you to facilitate a bypass of the ER waiting room and go directly into a treatment room.

Know multiple routes and drive times; however, it is strongly recommended to allow emergency units to transfer the Protectee whenever possible.

Always test numbers provided for your hospital contacts, always locate the nearest 24-hour pharmacy and always carry a current trauma kit of your own.

Kathy Leodler Chief Executive Officer Email:kathy.l@rampartgroup.com Phone: (360) 981-2703 PI License #3555

Paul Leodler Executive Vice President Email:paul.l@rampartgroup.com Phone: (360) 981-3397 PI License #4180

We at Rampart Group are committed to your security. Call 1-800 421-0614 or contact us today with your security or investigative needs.