What we reported In May, Houston Northwest Medical Center became the first Harris County hospital in the Spring and Klein area to begin the process of seeking a Level II trauma center designation, a process that takes about 18 months, HNMC CEO Tim Puthoff said. The latest The HNMC trauma admission rate has doubled since the hospital began pursuing level II status, while critical traumas—which require immediate response—have quadrupled, hospital officials said. The hospital has hired 12 additional surgeons and plans additional hires to meet the goal of having a surgical team available 24/7, hospital officials said. The number of trauma surgeons available is a chief requirement for certification by the American College of Surgeons.