Trauma Outreach and Injury Prevention Programs
Los Angeles General Medical Center has an active and influential injury prevention program dedicated to preventing trauma-related injuries and fatalities. Activities are targeted toward specific community needs and are determined by the information about injuries obtained from trauma registry data.
Faculty and fellows participate in these programs as a way to gain practical experience, forge connections with the community and continue our mission of eliminating health care disparities.
Injuries due to falls have been increasing in recent years, and the number of hospitalizations and emergency room visits has nearly doubled. In collaboration with the geriatric clinic and discharge waiting unit, Los Angeles General Medical Center’s falls prevention program has specifically targeted at-risk populations, providing education on home safety, proper balance and exercise, and medication review and safety.
In collaboration with the Emergency Department, the trauma program also provides education to parents, providers and teachers of middle school students on the importance of preventing falls. A combined CPR training and falls prevention class is provided. The class includes a discussion on the epidemiology of falls, home safety and identification of hazards/potential causes (e.g., floor clutter, poor lighting). Resources are provided on how to improve home safety, such as installing handrails or shower seats. A brief review of medications and common side effects is also part of the class.
For more information, please visit: http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Falls/adultfalls.html.
Distracted driving is a leading cause of traumatic injuries and death among teenage drivers. Our distracted driving program — a partnership with the California Highway Patrol and Impact Teen Drivers — helps educate teens and their families on how to prevent and avoid injuries while driving and highlights the importance of making better choices before getting behind the wheel.
For more information, please visit: https://www.impactteendrivers.org/.
GRYD was developed by the City of Los Angeles Mayor’s Office to address the current problem of gangs in the greater Los Angeles area. The main goal of this program is to reduce gang violence, address the root causes, promote positive youth development and focus efforts on the communities that need assistance. Trained intervention specialists are contacted by the Los Angeles Police Department and will work with victims sent to Los Angeles General Medical Center. The specialists coordinate interventions to prevent further violence and retaliation. Los Angeles General Medical Center provides resources to victims and their families to help prevent recidivism. The program increases hospital safety, improves support and resources and provides follow-up services for clients involved with GRYD case management.
For more information, please visit: https://www.lagryd.org/.
ThinkFirst is a program designed to teach youth to avoid violence, prevent injury and make better life choices. Health care professionals lead presentations and teach about traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, in high schools, middle schools and elementary schools. Parents and other providers also participate in the program to learn how to identify and manage the signs and symptoms of a concussion. Additionally, VIP speakers are invited to share their stories and experiences, including any challenges they faced during recovery. The program covers a wide variety of topics on injury prevention and addresses alcohol and drug use, texting while driving, and bullying. ThinkFirst also stresses the use of safety equipment, from seat belts to sports equipment. Assessments are given before and after each presentation, to help track the effectiveness of the content presented.
The Hospital and Morgue program is an Injury Prevention program at Los Angeles General Medical Center in conjunction with the Superior Court of Los Angeles as remediation for an offense of driving under the influence or reckless driving. The intent of the program is to reduce recidivism of DUI and related offenses and to change the behavior associated with it; thereby preventing associated traumatic injuries and death and promoting community health. It was introduced in 1991 and is permitted under Article 3 of the CA Vehicle Code commonly known as the Youthful Drunk Driving Program Act.
The program is divided into two parts. The first part is an 8-hour class to encourage and empower participants to drive safe and sober. The class demonstrates how alcohol increases the risk of automobile collisions and injuries associated with DUI. The second part is a 4-hour tour of the Los Angeles County Morgue, with a case presentation demonstrating the consequences of behavior that resulted in death. Participants are taken on a limited access tour where particular attention is paid to traffic-related fatalities and cases where drugs, weapons, and alcohol figured prominently. The final component is a 500-word paper essay in which the participants evaluate their experience.
Participants attend the Hospital and Morgue program as a condition of probation or alternative sentence as suggested by the Superior Court of Los Angeles. The DUI recidivism rate for the Hospital and Morgue Program is less than 3%, which is far more effective than the 26% to 33% recidivism rate associated with traditional court-ordered programs. Since the advent of the program in 2014, Los Angeles General Medical Center has educated more than 2,000 offenders.
SBIRT is a comprehensive, integrated, public health approach to the delivery of early intervention and treatment services for persons with substance abuse disorders and/or individuals at risk of developing these disorders. In 2005, the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma made it a requirement that all centers screen for alcohol disorders and have a process in place for providing interventions to patients in need of treatment. Approximately 25% of our admitted trauma patients meet the criteria and have a blood alcohol level drawn. Additionally, 90% of those that screen positive undergo an intervention. Patients that are admitted and test positive for alcohol or substance abuse are referred to the social work department for further assistance from substance abuse counselors.
For more information, contact:
Sixta Navarrete
snavarrete@dhs.lacounty.gov
Caught in the Crossfire is a hospital-based intervention program that works with patients, both minors and adults, who are hospitalized due to violent injuries. The goal is to reduce retaliation, reinjury and arrest. The program provides trained peer support, case management and mentoring to injured patients and their families. Services are provided free of charge, and participation is voluntary. Resources include education, job training, advocacy and counseling services for both youth and their parents. Caught in the Crossfire was established in 1994 and has partnered with the Soledad Enrichment Action (SEA) program. Since 1972, SEA education centers have provided high-risk youth and their families alternatives to gangs, drugs and violence, through education services, mental health therapy and counseling for drug and alcohol abuse. The SEA program was originally founded by mothers from East Los Angeles, whose sons were killed by gang violence. SEA addresses the needs of youth in a holistic manner and enlists the support and efforts of the entire family.