Managed by Dr. Denis Bensard, Pediatric Trauma Medical Director and Missy Anderson, RN, Pediatric Trauma Program Manager, Denver Health is home to the only full-service American College of Surgeon verified Level II Pediatric Trauma Center in Denver. In addition to all the services required for a verified Pediatric Trauma Program, our microvascular services and ability to care for complex pelvic fractures makes us unique. The Pediatric Trauma Program include acute injury, pediatric education, injury prevention, and disaster preparedness.
Denver Health is the only trauma center where trauma surgeons skilled in handling thousands of adult cases are also equipped to provide care for the most severe pediatric trauma injuries. Our dedicated pediatric staff ensure that children receive the same level of care as any adult.
Our Goal
The Pediatric Trauma Program seeks to combat the most critical health risk for children. Trauma is the leading cause of death between the ages of one and 14 years nationwide and results in temporary or permanent disability for millions of infants and children annually. Through injury prevention and educational programming development, our goal is to decrease the number of injuries through community outreach. If a child should be injured, it is our goal to provide the best multidisciplinary care possible to provide for the best possible outcome.
The Pediatric Trauma Program provides a complete continuum of pediatric trauma care, combined with an active program of education, research and prevention. Hundreds of injured patients are seen in the dedicated Pediatric Emergency Department every year — many of which require admission to the hospital. The Trauma Team follows these patients from the time enter the hospital through discharge and many are followed up in one of several outpatient clinics. We strive to provide the best evidence-based care possible to provide the best outcomes for our children and families.
Pediatric Injury Prevention
Many childhood injuries are preventable, and one focus of the Pediatric Injury Prevention Program is to provide education and resources to prevent future injuries from occurring. To do so, the Pediatric Injury Prevention Program provides beside education and consults to our inpatient population to address:
- Fall prevention
- Pedestrian injuries
- Child passenger safety and car seats
- Bicycle safety
- Sports related injuries
- Poison prevention
- Gun safety
- Choking prevention
- Hyperthermia prevention
- Fire safety
- Water safety
Educational materials and education are provided to all Denver Health pediatric patients and tailored to their specific mechanism of injury to prevent further similar injuries.
Car Seat Inspections
Denver Health has certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) who can assist with car seat inspections and installations free of charge. Have your child’s car seat inspected and learn proper installation from one of our certified technicians. Contact us at InjuryPrevention@dhha.org or call Missy Anderson at 303-602-7623 to schedule an appointment.
Our Services
- Pediatric General Surgery and Trauma: When a child is involved in a serious accident or has a medical illness that requires immediate surgical assistance, our surgery team is available 24 hours a day.
- Pediatric Neurosurgery and Trauma: If a child has suffered traumatic injury that involves the brain, our neurosurgery team is available 24 hours a day.
- Pediatric Orthopedic Services: The Denver Emergency Center for Children provides 24 hour pediatric orthopedic care for those children who need treatment for broken bones and joint dislocations.
- Pediatric Hand and Microvascular Service: Denver Health is the ONLY Level I hospital in Colorado that provides 24 hour Microvascular surgical services for children in need of complex surgery to re-attach a limb. This type of surgery involves the repair of the tiniest blood vessels to restore blood to a body part like an arm, foot or hand.
- Child Abuse Protection & Intervention: Denver Health has child protection services for pediatric patients who’ve suffered neglect and abuse. This team is comprised of medical experts who can identify and intervene in these situations immediately.
- Trauma Services Network: The Trauma Survivors Network (TSN) is a community of patients and families who are looking to connect with one another and rebuild their lives after a serious injury. Joining this community can help ease the anxiety and frustration often experienced following a sudden injury and the resulting hospitalization.