Eight broadcasts documentary Level One Trauma, highligting the innerworkings of the University of Arizona Medical Center’s Level One Trauma Center – May 23 at 9 p.m. on Eight HD

More from pressroom

Eight offers a personal, gripping view of state-of-the-art medical care for trauma patients

PHOENIX – (May 14, 2014) Eight, Arizona PBS, Emmy Award-winning for its original medical series The Latest Procedure, which uses live operations to educate patients on healthcare risks and emerging treatment options, will now present Level One Trauma, a one-hour documentary produced by Arizona Public Media (AZPM®) in Tucson, airing May 23 at 9 p.m. on Eight HD. The film shares emotional stories and the inner workings of the University of Arizona Medical Center’s Level One Trauma Center.

Level One Trauma takes viewers inside a trauma unit as first responders, doctors, nurses and other specialists struggle to save lives on a daily basis. The program also features personal accounts from patients and their families about their survival and care, including victims who were critically injured in the shooting of U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords.

"What made the deepest impression on me throughout the whole Level One Trauma filming was how much every single person involved in the process genuinely cares for each and every patient,” said AZPM’s Tom Kleespie, the producer, director and writer of the documentary. “The 911 operator answering the initial call, the first responders, the doctors, nurses and specialists all care about each individual person they treat and everyone does everything possible to save each patient."

One in three people are affected by trauma. While the majority of acutely injured people are treated at one of the thousands of emergency rooms nationwide, patients treated at a Level 1 trauma center have a 25% better chance of survival. Every person involved in the emergency, beginning with the 911 operator, is part of a system specifically designed to get trauma victims the best care possible as quickly as possible.

Level One Trauma also highlights the cost of maintaining such a high level of comprehensive care and the cost of not having a Level 1 trauma center near a community.

About the Trauma Center at the University of Arizona Medical Center:
The Division of Trauma, Critical Care, Burn and Emergency Surgery at the University of Arizona is nationally recognized and best known for its expertise in emergency surgery and trauma care. Its surgeons are also key to the University's general surgery work, performing thousands of these procedures every year. For more information about the UAMC Trauma Center, visit http://surgery.arizona.edu/unit/division/trauma-critical-care-burn-and-emergency-surgery.

About AZPM
Arizona Public Media (AZPM®) is a member-supported non-profit media organization based at the University of Arizona in Tucson, and is the trusted source of information that promotes thoughtful conversation and community collaboration. The organization offers six channels of television content, three channels of radio content, a robust lineup of online offerings, and community and educational outreach to residents in Southern Arizona and beyond. AZPM produces award-winning original television, radio and online content from its digital studios on the campus of the University of Arizona and is provided as a community service and educational resource. More information about AZPM, including program schedules and Video-on-Demand offerings, can be found online at www.azpm.org. Arizona Public Media® and AZPM® are registered trademarks of the Arizona Board of Regents.

Media Contact:  Colleen O’Donnell Pierce
[email protected]
(602) 496-0579
(602) 478-3867 (cell)
Visit azpbs.org/pressroom

About Arizona PBS

Arizona PBS is a trusted community resource.  For over 52 years, the PBS station has focused on educating children, reporting in-depth on public affairs, fostering lifelong learning and celebrating arts and culture. Arizona PBS achieves its mission through the power of non-commercial television, the Internet, educational outreach and community-based initiatives. Its signal reaches 80 percent of the homes in Arizona. With more than 1 million viewers weekly, Arizona PBS consistently ranks among the most-viewed public television stations per capita in the country. For more information, visit azpbs.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, Pinterest or Tumblr.

Arizona PBS is a member-supported community service of Arizona State University and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

A photo journalist walking a destroyed city
airs April 2

Frontline: 20 Days in Mariupol

A woman working on a project in an art studio
airs March 29

Violet Protest

The
aired March 25

Pulitzer on the Road: Small Town Shakedown

A salad that has corn, avocado, and other delicious toppings
airs March 28

Tune in for an all new episode of ‘Check, Please! Arizona’

Subscribe to Arizona PBS Newsletters

STAY in touch
with azpbs.org!

Subscribe to Arizona PBS Newsletters: