zippy,
There are many definitions of a trauma center. You said you want to know why there is no level I center in the Shaols. Simply put, it is not possible to do so with the current resources. There has to be many things in place to do this, including 24 hour surgeons in the ER at all times, and they must be specially trained in trauma care. Those people are few and far between. There are only four general surgeons in Lauderdale county, and I think six in Colbert. There is no way these individuals could cover that type of situation. On top of this you need 24 hour, 365 days a year neurosurgical coverage, again something we cannot provide with only two neurosurgeons in nw Alabama. ECM participates in the trauma system in Alabama, as a level III, no other hospitals in NW Alabama even participate as I understand it. When services that the patient needs are not available currently at ECM, the patient must go to the next closet facility, usually Huntsville. Huntsville is a level I, I believe, and there is a level I in Tupelo and Birmingham.
I have had children treated at ECM, and I think that maybe your assesment of their ER is not the same as mine. My son was treated efficiently and professionally, and I have been told of similar episodes at Keller. We are lucky to have two good facilites in our corner of the state, perhaps focusing more on the good points and advantages of their existence here would serve the whole community.