Trauma Education and Prevention

Every year more than 33 million people are admitted to emergency rooms and trauma centers nationwide for injuries such as gunshot wounds and injuries caused by car accidents, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Sutter’s emergency and trauma care teams not only treat patients like these, but hold community outreach and education events to help prevent traumatic injuries and death.

Trauma generally impacts young adults, and can have a devastating long-term effect on the lives and careers of both patients and their loved ones. The financial cost of trauma care in the United States registers in the billions, but the emotional costs are immeasurable.

Focusing on Prevention

We work closely with many local agencies, including emergency responders, schools, law enforcement and coalition groups, to make our communities safer. Throughout Northern California, our hospitals and trauma centers partner with various groups to hold fall prevention classes, child car seat inspections, concussion management classes and youth violence prevention programs.

We also participate in the Every Fifteen Minutes program, a drunk driving prevention event held once a year at local high schools. 

Our Trauma Nurses Talk Tough (About Saving Your Life) program combines straight talk and examples of real trauma situations from our trauma nurses, encouraging teenagers and children to practice safe behaviors. Our Trauma Symposium is an all-day educational program for emergency caregivers, nurses, firefighters and other healthcare professionals interested in trauma care. The symposium focuses on prevention issues and trending topics in trauma care.

Reducing the Risks of Serious Accidents

There are simple actions you can take every day to help prevent the likelihood of needing serious emergency care. Here are some tips to keep you and your family safe:

• Always wear a seatbelt — Seatbelts worn correctly greatly reduce the severity of injury in crashes.
• Buckle children in the back seat using age appropriate car seats and boosters — California law requires children be in a car seat or booster seat until 8 years of age.
• Pull over if you feel sleepy while driving — Falling asleep at the wheel kills thousands of Americans every year.
• Don’t get caught up in road rage — You can’t control other drivers, but you can control your reactions to them.
• Don’t drive if you are under the influence of controlled substances — Every 15 minutes a person dies due to someone driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Keep all firearms safely locked up and away from children — Safe storage can make the difference between security and tragedy.
• Wear a helmet while riding a bicycle, scooter or motorcycle — Helmet use reduces head and neck injuries. Plus, California state law requires that anyone younger than 18 wear a helmet.
• Teach children about water safety at an early age and monitor them carefully — Drowning ranks fifth among the leading causes of unintentional injury death in the United States, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Use personal flotation devices when boating — Wearing a life jacket can save you and your loved ones from drowning.
• Perform a safety walk-through of your home on a yearly basis — As your family grows, the risks change. Don’t forget to create a fire escape plan.