In 2021, the UTMB Clear Lake Campus Hospital’s trauma center earned a Level 3 designation, defined by the American College of Surgeons as having resources for the emergency resuscitation, surgery and intensive care of most trauma patients. Level 3 centers have transfer agreements with Level 1 or 2 trauma centers that provide back-up resources for the care of exceptionally severe injuries.

Reaching Level 3 could not have happened without great partnerships between UTMB faculty, community physicians and other important regional partners, said Stephen Jones, CEO of UTMB Health Clear Lake Campus. The hospital launched its trauma program with four new trauma surgeons, expanding its trauma section to eight faculty members between the Level 1 trauma center at Jennie Sealy Hospital, the Level 3 at Clear Lake and Level 3 at the League City Campus Hospital.

The UTMB Health Clear Lake Campus Hospital offers patients access to state-of-the-art cardiology treatments, procedures and technology, world-class labor and delivery and obstetrics care, comprehensive neurosurgery and spine services and an emergency room that’s designated as a Level 3 Trauma Center. The hospital is also certified as a Level 2 Primary Stroke Facility, a designation that reinforces UTMB’s position as a leader in complex neurosciences care.

“In addition to traditional Emergency Department providers and staff, our Emergency Room is equipped with board-certified pediatricians for 16 hours every day. Not every hospital can say that,” said Ann Varghese, administrator for the Clear Lake Hospital. “When the unexpected happens, we want parents to know they can bring their children here to receive expert, top-notch care when it matters most.” 

UTMB’s Clear Lake Campus Hospital recently achieved Chest Pain Center Accreditation through the American College
of Cardiology following an extensive 12-month review by a multidisciplinary team of staff and providers. Chest Pain Center Accreditation is a quality improvement program designed for hospital cardiovascular teams that are focused on the efficient and effective care of acute coronary syndrome patients.

Ann Varghese, administrator for the Clear Lake Hospital, said that the accreditation helps validate the excellent delivery and quality of cardiac care that heart attack patients experience at UTMB.

“The engagement of our staff was phenomenal,” Varghese said. “They supported the goals of the program and helped with data collection, protocol updates and community education. This achievement is a reflection of the team’s focus and dedication to delivering excellent care.”

There are three types of accreditation designations awarded by the American College of Cardiology. UTMB’s accreditation includes the Primary PCI designation, which means the Clear Lake hospital has a call team comprised of cardiac catherization lab staff and an interventional cardiologist available 24/7.

“Patients should look for a hospital that has protocols in place to quickly provide the most appropriate intervention in a timely manner with great quality outcomes,” Varghese said. “We exceed benchmarks for the care given to our cardiac patients experiencing a heart attack. Our teams are activated and respond in less than 30 minutes to ensure quick intervention to decrease mortality and deliver best outcomes.”