For traumatic injury, advanced care and resources are nearby.
Some emergencies require advanced specialty care. Traumatic physical injury from blunt, sharp or penetrating forces outside the body may result in wounds, broken bones or internal organ damage. We are fortunate in eastern North Carolina to have access to a Level I Adult Trauma Center and a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville. This means you will receive the highest level of trauma care available from a multidisciplinary team of trauma specialists. Just like the emergency teams, the trauma team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to handle all aspects of a life-threatening or life-changing traumatic injury. VMC earned its designation as an adult trauma center in 1983, which the American College of Surgeons verified in 2005.
After a traumatic injury or life-threatening illness or condition, most patients are placed in a critical care or intensive care unit until well enough to be moved to a step-down unit. Critically ill patients require the highest level of monitoring and the most advanced medical equipment. Most ECU Health hospitals have intensive care units (ICUs), and ECU Health Medical Center also has a dedicated surgical intensive care unit (SICU), neurosurgical intensive care unit and a trauma ICU.
The surgical critical care physician team includes board-certified surgical intensivists, mid-level residents and interns, and a critical care fellow. The team is dedicated to ensuring timely referrals and consultations for all high-risk surgical trauma patients. They oversee all admissions to the SICU, and a board-certified surgeon is available around the clock.
If you are experiencing an emergency, call 9-1-1.
Emergency & Trauma Services
ECU Health EastCare
ECU Health EastCare Medical Transport provides critical care air and ground transportation service to and from areas within 150 miles of Greenville, North Carolina. As an important part of our emergency, trauma and critical care services, air or ground ambulances are available 24/7 to transport area residents from other hospitals or directly from the scene of your injury or illness to ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville, with access to all the benefits of the region’s only Level I Adult Trauma Center as well as a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center.
Eastern Regional Advisory Committee (ERAC)
ERAC was organized in 1998 to implement and coordinate a regional trauma system and thereby improve trauma care in eastern North Carolina. ERAC is composed of representatives from 29 counties that make up the referral region for the Level I Adult Trauma Center at ECU Health Medical Center. Members represent several areas of trauma care: pre-hospital providers, physicians, nurses, and administrators from regional hospitals. Other agencies include public health and community volunteers.
Clinics, Programs & Support
Burn Clinic
The Burn Outpatient Service, located at ECU Health Medical Center, offers care for people with minor burn injuries. For more information, call 252-847-4299.
Trauma Clinic
The weekly Trauma Clinic, located at 517 Moye Blvd. in Greenville, supports recovery for those who have experienced traumatic injuries. For more information, call 252-847-4299.
Acute Care Surgery Clinic
Offered twice a week at 517 Moye Blvd. in Greenville. For more information, call 252-847-4299.