Baptist-DeSoto’s Emergency Department elevated to Level III

SOUTHAVEN — The trauma level at Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto’s emergency department has been upgraded from Level IV to Level III status, enabling the hospital to be able to serve trauma patients.

Baptist DeSoto’s emergency department saw 55,757 patients last year. Of that total, 12,880 patients arrived by ambulance, and 395 were trauma arrivals.

One reason for the raised trauma designation is the residential growth of DeSoto County and surrounding areas. According to the state, in 1990 DeSoto County had 67,910 residents. Ten years later, the population grew 58 percent to 107,199. In 2007, there was a 39 percent growth to 148,568, and in 2012, the population is expected to grow another 15 percent to 172,226.

Source: Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto