Rapides Regional Medical Center injury prevention
According to the Centers for Disease Control, injuries sustained in a traumatic accident are the leading cause of death for ages 1 to 44, and the fourth overall leading cause of death in the United States. Studies and research have shown that almost 40 percent of those deaths are preventable.
Rapides Regional Medical Center is dedicated to creating safer communities by providing awareness and advocacy through injury prevention programs, community education, and outreach.
Our Level II trauma center, with the support of our state and community partners, is dedicated to preventing unintentional injuries. Our injury prevention specialists do this by identifying risks, implementing evidence-based prevention strategies, and serving as a resource to the communities we serve. For information on injury prevention programs in your area, please get in touch with our Trauma Program Director, Shawn Moreau, at (318) 769-3747.
Fall prevention
One in four Americans over 65 will experience a fall each year. Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries. RRMC’s fall prevention programs promote safety, increase physical mobility and strength, and encourage independence. Contrary to popular belief, falling is not a normal part of aging. We encourage you to speak to your healthcare professional if you or a loved one has been experiencing repeated falls.
Take the National Council on Aging’s Fall Free Check-Up to determine if you are a fall risk.
Traffic safety
According to statistics from the CDC, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for ages 1 to 44 in the United States. Whether you drive, walk, or ride a motorcycle on your way to school, a job, or even a doctor’s appointment, traffic safety applies to anyone on our roadways. Traffic safety is also essential when considering the safety of road construction workers and first responders. RRMC participates in several different motor vehicle safety programs in conjunction with our community partners to reduce motor vehicle accidents related to distracted driving, teen driver safety, and car safety. Listed below are proven safety tips that save lives:
- Don’t drive or walk distracted
- Never drive impaired
- Wear your seatbelt and make sure children ride in the appropriate size car seat
- Wear a helmet if operating a motorcycle or bicycle
Sudden Impact
The number one killer of teens is motor vehicle crashes. Through a partnership with the Louisiana State Police, we have an interactive program to decrease injuries and fatalities due to driving impaired, driving without a seat belt, and distracted driving aimed at high school sophomores. The program includes
mock crashes, mock trials, senior presentations and parent presentations. The Louisiana Sudden Impact program is a partnership between Louisiana State Police, University Medical Center New Orleans, and hospitals throughout Louisiana. For more information, visit them on Facebook at Sudden Impact Louisiana.
Car seat checks
By Louisiana law, all children younger than nine years old are required to be in the appropriate car or booster seat. Selecting the appropriate car seat based on your child’s age and size is equally important as ensuring the car seat is installed correctly. Car seats should always be registered with the manufacturer so the manufacturer can notify you of any recalls. Be sure to always check for the expiration date on the seat. We recommend avoiding using car seats in which you cannot confirm its history.
Rapides Regional Medical Center partners with Louisiana State Police to conduct free monthly child safety seat checks on the second Wednesday of each month between 2:00 and 5:00pm.
Stop the Bleed
Bleeding is the most common cause of preventable death following an injury. Therefore, the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma led a collaborative effort to bring knowledge of bleeding control to the public in 2015. Watch this short video to learn how to identify life-threatening bleeding, alert and communicate critical information to emergency services, apply pressure and pack wounds, and apply tourniquets. Join Rapides Regional Trauma Center in our goal to teach as many people as possible how to Stop the Bleed.