"It's a much different sight, under Santa Clara County ownership, compared to the eerily quiet trauma center described by workers under previous corporate owner HCA Healthcare. Before the county's purchase last year, the hospital steadily slashed its trauma, stroke, heart attack and maternity care until they were gone or running on fumes - overburdening other hospitals and dragging out wait times for treatment."
"Workers at Regional Medical Center's trauma unit routinely cut car crash victims out of their clothes, replace blood as it sprays from torn aortas and hold pelvic bones together as they pass along instructions over the yelling of suffering patients. Commotion and stress aren't exactly positive features of most workplaces. But for an East San Jose hospital recovering from years of devastating service cuts, they're welcome signs that one of the region's only two trauma centers is working as it should."
Regional Medical Center's trauma unit in East San Jose is treating substantially more patients and performing high-acuity emergency procedures. Under previous corporate owner HCA Healthcare, the hospital cut trauma, stroke, heart attack and maternity services, forcing patient diversions and increasing burdens on neighboring hospitals. After Santa Clara County purchased the hospital, trauma services were restored and patient census rose from about 70 to roughly 193. Valley Medical Center absorbed many diverted cases and reported the highest trauma volume in California in 2024 with 5,196 cases. Restored services aim to reduce wait times and relieve system-wide strain.
Read at San Jose Spotlight
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