The Surgeons of Surgical Specialists of the Rockies also serve as the primary Trauma Team for Poudre Valley Hospital.  They provide 24-hour call coverage and back-up 365 days a year.  PVH is a Level II Trauma Facility.  Dr. Chris Cribari of Surgical Specialists of the Rockies also serves as the Director for the Trauma Department of PVH.

About Trauma

Trauma is a physical injury or wound caused by a violent, external force, which may lead to death or permanent disability.

It is the leading cause of death in people from ages 1 to 44, and the third leading cause of death overall! Larimer County, Colorado figures reflect these national statistics.

Trauma affects more than 59 million Americans each year and results in more than 145,000 deaths. Trauma is our most expensive health problem, costing Americans nearly $500 billon annually.

Trauma surgeons can operate on any part of the body. These surgeons have tremendous success rates in patients who have sustained life-threatening injuries. Trauma surgeons can also be specialists in surgical critical care, burns and emergency surgery.

A trauma patient often needs immediate and complex surgery to survive, so hospitals operate a trauma center on a 24-hour basis. Some qualifications for a trauma center include having a strong emergency medicine department that is staffed by a specialist and a team of trauma surgeons, access to advanced diagnostic equipment and a helipad to receive patients.