Sleepy Eye Medical Center

Sleepy Eye Medical Center Designated
Level IV Trauma Hospital
Only 20% of Minnesota hospitals designated

The Sleepy Eye Medical Center is pleased to announce that it has been named a Level IV Trauma Hospital by the Minnesota Department of Health. This designation places SEMC among just over two dozen hospitals out of over 100 hospitals in the state that are listed as trauma centers.

As a Level IV Trauma Hospital, the Sleepy Eye Medical Center provides stabilization and treatment of severely injured patients to our area. To be designated, SEMC demonstrated compliance in several areas, such as proper emergency room and operating room procedures and equipment, professional trauma education and post-trauma peer review processes.

Minnesota’s statewide trauma system was created in August of 2005. It established criteria for the treatment and transportation of seriously injured people and called for a process for the state to designate hospitals as trauma hospitals. The goal of the trauma system is to see every hospital in Minnesota become a trauma hospital.

A trauma system is vital to survival for the severely injured person, as the amount of time between an injury and the time it takes to receive care is the most important predictor of survival. The longer the injured person goes without treatment, their chance of survival diminish. Having a trauma system in place greatly increases the patient’s chance of survival in rural areas like Sleepy Eye and the surrounding communities, which are not in direct proximity to an urban trauma center.

The impact of trauma in Minnesota is staggering, both emotionally and financially. Trauma is the leading cause of death for Minnesotans ages 1 to 44 and is the forth leading cause of death for all Minnesotans. On average, more than 2,400 Minnesotans die from trauma each year. In 2004, 70% of fatal crashes occurred in rural areas, and the economic cost of motor vehicle fatalities in Minnesota was over $683 million dollars. The cost of medical services due to motor vehicle crashes was estimated to be $310 million dollars. *

*Source: Minnesota Department of Health Statewide Trauma System

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, D.C., 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Sleepy Eye Medical Center to Host Simulation
Classes at 8:30-11:30 and 1:00-4:00
Sleepy Eye Medical Center
Simulation is one of the newest techniques available to help health care professionals be prepared for medical emergencies with children. The Sleepy Eye Medical Center will be hosting simulation training for children's emergencies on Wednesday, October 8, with classes held at 8:30-11:30 and 1:00-4:00.
The training is conducted by Twin Cities-based Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota in its Kohl's Mobile Simulation Center, the first of its kind in the nation to focus solely on preparing physicians and nurses for life-threatening conditions impacting children.
During simulations, multidisciplinary teams come together to practice critical events that are made highly realistic by simulation specialists using computerized mannequins and other techniques. For example, teams may practice scenarios in which a child is brought to an emergency room experiencing severe breathing difficulties, or when a newborn needs resuscitation.
A debriefing follows the event, during which participants identify what went well and where improvements in team performance can be made, offering insight into how the learning can be applied in the clinical environment. A strong emphasis is placed on how best to work together as a team.
"We're so happy that Kohl's has made it possible for us to work shoulder-to-shoulder with our colleagues and bring this leading-edge training to hospitals throughout the region. Simulation training helps provide them with the tools to respond effectively to a pediatric emergency," said Karen Mathias, APRN, Director of Children's simulation program. "It's very much a dress rehearsal for situations that may not occur often, but eventually arise in any health care setting."
Mathias said that simulation training in health care grew out of the approach taken by the aviation industry, which routinely uses simulation to help ensure that pilots and others can practice scenarios that can arise. Simulation training is often noted as one of the main reasons for the overall safety of the U.S. aviation industry.
"It makes a lot of sense to take the lessons learned in aviation through simulation training and apply them to medical care," she said.

Sellheim is new SEMC Administrator

Kevin Sellheim, Chief Financial Officer and Interim Administrator has been appointed administrator by the Sleepy Eye Medical Center Board of Directors. Sellheim, who has been with SEMC for five years, is replacing Bob Van Meeteren, who resigned from his position as administrator in November.
“We interviewed several candidates and found Kevin to be the best fit for us. We feel confident about his knowledge and abilities and are pleased that he accepted the position,” said Gordon Osmonson, chairman of the Sleepy Eye Medical Center Board.
“We have every confidence that Kevin will do an excellent job as our administrator. He is familiar with the organization and has been part of major decisions we have made as we have completed the remodeling of our hospital and the building of our clinic,” said Osmonson.
While taking over administration duties, Sellheim will, at this point in time, also continue to guide the financial aspects of the organization.
Sellheim lives in Sleepy Eye with his wife, Barb. They have two grown children and a grandson and enjoy golfing and spending time at the lake.