Taylor County Hospital, which has been a Level III Trauma Center since 1994, is working in collaboration with Campbellsville Taylor County Rescue Radio and Dispatch, STATCARE Flight Service and University of Louisville Trauma Institute to transport patients who meet the trauma team's established criteria via helicopter to Taylor County Hospital's Emergency Department. STATCARE, which is now regionally located in Glasgow, Kentucky can use this team's criteria and standards to transport critically injured patients to TCH instead of a longer flight to Louisville.

"This collaboration will enable patients to receive care quicker and more effectively," says Carol Wright, Director of Emergency Services at Taylor County Hospital. "The first hour, also known as the 'Golden Hour,' is the most critical in trauma cases and this new service will make us better able to provide trauma care for patients in rural settings within the 'Golden Hour."'

Taylor County Hospital is one of four designated Trauma Centers in the state of Kentucky and the only Level III Trauma Center. Level III Trauma Centers provide prompt availability of a surgeon. For critically injured patients requiring treatment not available at a Level III Trauma Center, transfer agreements with Level I Trauma Centers are maintained.