Kona Community Hospital Receives Verification From the American College Of Surgeons Committee On Trauma

Verification recognizes Kona Community Hospital’s commitment to providing optimal care for injured patients. 

News Release from HHSC West Hawaii Region and American College of Surgeons August 3, 2026

KEALAKEKUA, HAWAIʻI –– Kona Community Hospital (KCH) has been verified as a Level III trauma center by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS COT).

“This verification is a proud moment for Kona Community Hospital, and a clear signal of where we are headed,” said Clayton McGhan, CEO of West Hawaii Region. “The Level III status confirms that our trauma program meets a national standard of excellence and fuels our commitment to keep building, improving and investing in the future of care for our community.”

A categorical trauma center verification signifies that the facility meets the essential criteria that ensures trauma care capability and the highest level of institutional performance as outlined by the ACS. The verification process involves an objective assessment of the facility by an external team of trauma experts. The site review involves an in-depth evaluation of the hospital’s regional role, the availability of physical and human resources, policies, patient care protocols, quality improvement processes and education efforts.

“Care for the critically injured trauma patient is uniquely challenging in Hawaiʻi, particularly if the patient is located outside of Oʻahu, the only island with a Level 1 trauma center,” said Dr. Genia Taitano, Trauma Medical Director at KCH. “Rural facilities, such as KCH, are limited in infrastructure, physicians and specialists, and must be extremely adaptable with a broad skill set to provide timely care, resuscitate and stabilize, and escalate care accordingly for transfer.”

Under the leadership of Dr. Taitano, and Wendi Wagner, Trauma Program Manager, KCH was able to achieve ACS verification despite being an independent rural facility not attached to a larger system. Additionally, KCH is the first Hawaii Health Systems Corporation (HHSC) facility to do so.

“We know that ACS-verified trauma centers have decreased mortality and better outcomes for its patients than nonverified centers,” Dr. Taitano added. “Through critical review of our practices, open communication, and a willingness to make changes, we have achieved something exemplary for our community.”

As an ACS-verified trauma center, KCH also becomes an ACS Surgical Quality Partner. Being a Surgical Quality Partner signifies a hospital’s dedication to consistently improving procedures and approaches, while maintaining a critical eye on process at every step. The Surgical Quality Partner designation lets patients know KCH is dedicated to quality and relentless self-improvement and has been verified or accredited by the ACS. Patients can trust that the care they receive at Surgical Quality Partner hospitals adheres to the most rigorous standards in surgical quality.

“As an ACS Surgical Quality Partner, Kona Community Hospital has shown a commitment providing the best possible patient care, evaluating that care in a rigorous fashion, and dedicating themselves to continuous self-improvement,” said ACS Patricia L. Turner, MD, MBA, FACS, executive director & chief executive officer of ACS.

KCH is also a participant in the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program (ACS TQIP). ACS TQIP ensures that a hospital has acquired the strongest surgical data to analyze and improve patient outcomes. ACS TQIP complements the ACS Trauma VRC program by providing centers with the information they need to make changes to care so they continually improve the outcomes of their patients. Together, these programs help patients cared for in an ACS-verified trauma center receive the best care possible, which is critical because trauma patients often have little choice in where they receive care. ACS TQIP includes interactive data tools that provide multiple opportunities for centers to learn best practices in trauma from other centers and subject matter experts.

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ABOUT WEST HAWAII REGION

The West Hawaii Region is comprised of Kona Community Hospital and Kohala Hospital. The region is dedicated to providing a healing environment to all the people of Hawaiʻi and delivering quality, accessible care that leads to optimal health. Both hospitals offer 24-hour emergency services and are members of the Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation, a public entity established in 1996 by the State of Hawai’i to fulfill the promise to provide quality, hometown healthcare.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF SURGEONS

The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice and improve the quality of care for all surgical patients. The College is dedicated to the ethical and competent practice of surgery. Its achievements have significantly influenced the course of scientific surgery in America and have established it as an important advocate for all surgical patients. The College has more than 88,000 members and is the largest organization of surgeons in the world. “FACS” designates that a surgeon is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

KCH: Trauma – Kona Community Hospital  -- "Kona Community Hospital (KCH) attained Level III trauma center designation in 2011.  As a Level III trauma center, KCH provides resources for emergency resuscitation, stabilization, emergency surgery and intensive care of trauma patients."  

SM: Top Hospitals in Hawaii | Trauma Centers Map | Simplemaps.com