UMC trauma care gets a quick fix

Jace Radke

Wednesday, March 6, 2002 | 11:11 a.m.

The trauma center at University Medical Center will remain open for at least the next three months after Clark County commissioners unanimously voted Tuesday to place part-time trauma surgeons under county insurance.

The move comes a week before a 12-hour shift at the trauma center would have gone uncovered because of two surgeons leaving the hospital in the wake of the skyrocketing cost of malpractice insurance.

"We have an agreement with one of the doctors who left that he would return on a part-time basis if this short-term solution was passed," UMC Trauma Center Director Dr. John Fildes said. "That will allow us to cover all our shifts and remain open, but it's still only a short-term answer. We've bought a little time, but there has to be a long-term answer."

The commissioners, who serve as the public hospital's board of trustees, approved the measure unanimously. Commission chairman Dario Herrera participated in the meeting via telephone.

The decision will allow part-time trauma surgeons to work under the county's insurance at UMC, but they will continue to be responsible for private practice insurance.

Commissioner Erin Kenny said the move sends a message that the people of Clark County will continue to have emergency medical services.

"We're committed to provide health care for our constituents, and for now the trauma center will remain open," Kenny said. "If a long-term solution is not in place when the three months are up, we'll look at it again and probably roll it over for another three months."

Doctors and hospital officials say physicians are moving out of Nevada because of a rise in insurance premiums after two insurers, St. Paul Cos. and Chicago Insurance, left the state. The two companies, which together covered 60 percent of the state's doctors, cite the high cost of jury awards and settlements in malpractice cases as reasons for dropping insurance programs in Nevada.

Nevada has no cap on malpractice awards for non-economic pain and suffering, unlike states such as California, which has a $250,000 cap.

Tort reform at the 2003 legislative session or a doctor-run medical malpractice insurance company are possible solutions being considered by state officials.

Kenny said that the need to keep the trauma center open is critical because it is the only 24-hour trauma facility covering Nevada. The center also covers parts of Arizona, California and Utah.

More than 11,000 patients were treated at the trauma center last year, including victims of gunshot wounds, car wrecks, burns and other serious incidents.