Bayfront routing trauma victims to Tampa
ST. PETERSBURG — A shortage of neurosurgeons at Bayfront Medical Center has prompted emergency workers to take trauma victims to Tampa hospitals.
Bayfront, Pinellas County’s only trauma center, temporarily and voluntarily suspended its designation as a Level 2 trauma center. It expects to have neurosurgeons on call again starting at 7 a.m. Thursday.
"There’s a shortage of neurosurgeons on our call schedule, and that’s really dictating this problem," said hospital spokeswoman Kanika Tomalin.
In the meantime, trauma patients — victims of serious accidents, violence or other catastrophic injuries — will be diverted to Tampa General Hospital, a Level 1 trauma center, or St. Joseph’s Hospital, a Level 2 trauma center.
Bayfront voluntarily contacted state regulators Tuesday morning to temporarily suspend its Level 2 trauma designation. Bayfront expects to have its Level 2 trauma designation restored Thursday.
The hospital sees about 2,600 trauma patients and 45,000 emergency patients a year. It is still handling routine emergencies and hospital visits.
Tomalin said the hospital is trying to hire more neurosurgeons. "We’re always looking for neurosurgeons,” Tomalin said.
- Lisa Greene, Times staff writer