EVERETT — Providence Regional Medical Center Everett is the only Level 2 Adult Trauma Center in the county and also operates as a Level 3 Pediatric Trauma Center. The center treats more than 4,000 trauma patients annually, with more than 2,000 requiring hospital admission. It is the second busiest trauma facility in the state, after Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, which is the state’s only Level 1 trauma center.
“We cover everything north of King County to the Canadian border, including some island and mountainous regions. Our trauma center has a large catchment area, and we serve many vulnerable populations,” Dr. Shaina Schaetzel, trauma surgeon and medical director at Providence Everett, explained.
While Harborview is relatively close, Providence Everett provides trauma care closer to home for many residents, helping to reduce the need for long-distance transport for critical injuries.
The center addresses challenges related to the region’s growing and aging population. Falls are the leading cause of trauma cases at the center, ranging from minor trips to significant incidents, including workplace injuries from Boeing construction sites.
“The most common injury we see is falls — they can range from something minor to a very high fall. We also get a significant number of motor vehicle collisions,” Dr. Schaetzel explained. This highlights the center’s role in addressing diverse trauma cases while reflecting its collaboration with industries like Boeing.
The region’s geography – of mountains, islands and wide areas – complicates trauma transport. “We sometimes need to airlift patients or take ferries because of the region’s island and mountainous terrain,” Dr. Schaetzel said. To address these challenges, Providence works closely with Snohomish County EMS to coordinate pre-hospital care and expedite transport.
Injury prevention and community education are important components of the center’s mission.
“We do a lot of ‘Stop the Bleed’ classes — training civilians how to stop bleeding in emergencies — which is crucial in trauma care. It empowers bystanders to save lives before EMS arrives,” Providence’s Trauma injury prevention coordinator Sarah Brouwer highlighted their programs.
Brouwer described the tailored approach to prevention: “We partner with schools to educate children on helmet safety and car seat use. We want to instill safe habits early on.” She also noted fall prevention and safety training efforts in workplaces, particularly Boeing, to reduce workplace injury rates
She highlighted the importance of fall prevention trainings tailored for older adults, noting, “falls are the leading cause of injury, especially among seniors. Our symposia bring together experts to educate attendees on home safety, balance exercises, and medication management to reduce fall risks.”
Transitioning to advancements in emergency care, Brouwer emphasized the impact of training EMS teams to administer whole blood in the field. “This has been a game-changer,” she said. “It reduces mortality and blood product usage by mimicking natural blood replacement.” Whole blood transfusion, she added, represents a significant step forward in trauma care.
The center also uses trauma procedure techniques such as the Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA).
“While REBOA is a powerful tool for severe bleeding, our best outcome is preventing those injuries altogether through education and early intervention,” Brouwer said.
Looking forward, Brouwer expressed plans to expand outreach to underserved communities: “We know some populations face barriers to healthcare access, so we’re developing programs to bring trauma prevention education directly to them.”
Providence Everett’s trauma system — from community prevention to emergency care and rehabilitation — reflects a focus on improving safety and outcomes. “Our goal is to equip people with knowledge and skills to prevent injuries and respond effectively when trauma happens,” Brouwer said. “It truly takes a community effort.”
