The George H. Clowes, Jr., MD, Trauma Lecture Visiting Professor: June 10, 2013

Boston Medical Center’s Department of Surgery, Section of Trauma and Acute Care, had the pleasure of hosting C. William Schwab, MD, FACS, for the George H. Clowes, Jr., MD, Trauma Lecture Visiting Professor on Monday, June 10, 2013 at Boston Medical Center.

Dr. Schwab has been a long-term contributor to the field of trauma care internationally, predominantly in the areas of education, systems, injury prevention governance and leadership. While establishing the trauma and flight programs at the University of Pennsylvania in the 1980’s, Dr. Schwab and the Penn Team pioneered many aspects of the Damage Control approach now integral to trauma care. His leadership and vision trained many surgeons who have gone on to become leaders in their own programs worldwide.

Dr. Schwab was part of the group that initiated the international trauma operative training course. He has over 200 publications, chapters and has co-edited four textbooks. Dr. Schwab holds honorary memberships in the Royal College of Surgeons of Scotland (Glasgow), Swedish Surgical Association and European Society of Trauma and Emergency Surgery. Dr. Schwab has served as the President of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma, the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma and the International Association for Trauma Surgery and Intensive Care.

Dr. C. William Schwab presenting “Damage Control: The Odyssey“

Surgical Residents and Trauma Attendings with Dr. Schwab enjoying an evening at the Seaport Hotel in Boston!

Surgical Residents with Dr. Schwab

 

 

Grilling up Summer Safety!

Summer has always been my favorite time of the year. My family does not let a summer weekend go by without finding something to celebrate and a reason to get together and have a barbecue – Memorial Day, Father’s Day, the 4th of July and 4 birthdays all within a week of each other at the end of July (mine, my mom, my daughter, and my sister)! My husband and I recently became homeowners, so our families can’t wait to come over and fire up the grill at our new place.

One thing that goes along with being a homeowner and hostess of these family gatherings is making sure I have everything I need to keep my guests happy and safe while they are in my home.

Since joining the Safe Kids team I learned that, according to our partners at the United State Fire Administration (USFA), each year fire departments respond to thousands of home grill fires which end up causing millions of dollars in property damage – that’s a bit unsettling of a statistic for a new home owner. Now that my husband and I are the ones doing the grilling, we have some key safety tips that we’ll be keeping in mind as we gear up for this summer’s grilling season:

• Position the grill well away from siding, deck railings, out from under eaves and overhanging branches and a safe distance from lawn games, play areas, and foot traffic.
• Do not wear loose clothing while cooking at a grill.
• When cooking food, use long-handled grilling tools to give plenty of clearance from heat and flames.
• Periodically remove grease or fat buildup in trays below grill so it cannot be ignited by a hot grill.
• Be careful when using lighter fluid. Do not add fluid to an already lit fire because the flames can flashback up into the container and explode.
• Grill only outdoors! If used indoors, or in any enclosed spaces, such as garages or tents, barbecue grills pose both a fire hazard and the risk of exposing occupants to carbon monoxide.

Also, as parents of a busy 7-year-old who wants to help do everything, we make sure that our daughter knows to stay away from the grill. Just like she knows that she is not allowed within a certain area of the stove in the kitchen, the same goes for the grill outside. Make it a point to:

• Keep children and pets away from the grill area by declaring a 3-foot “kid-free zone” around the grill.
• Keep all matches and lighters away from children. Teach your children to report any loose matches or lighters to an adult immediately.
• Always supervise children around outdoor grills.

Remember to never leave your grill unattended while you are cooking. The number one cause of residential fires is unattended cooking. Sounds like a lot to remember, but these are small things we can do to take full advantage of long summer days, keep our food tasting good, and keep our families safe. Enjoy your summer and let’s get grilling!

For more information on grilling safety, visit:

• National Fire Protection Association – Grilling Safety
• United States Fire Administration – Summer Fire Safety

- See more at: http://www.safekids.org/blog-post/grilling-summer-safety#sthash.bkAHCn5P.dpuf

HEATSTROKE: Never leave your child alone in a car, not even for a minute.

Babies and young kids can sometimes sleep so peacefully that we forget they are even there. It can also be tempting to leave a baby alone in a car while we quickly run into the store. The problem is that leaving a child alone in a car can lead to serious injury or death from heatstroke. Young children are particularly at risk, as their bodies heat up three to five times faster than an adult’s. These tragedies are completely preventable. Here’s how we can all work together to keep kids safe from heatstroke.

Hard Facts

Heatstroke is the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related deaths for children. On average, every 10 days a child dies from heatstroke in a vehicle.

Top Tips

Reduce the number of deaths from heatstroke by remembering to ACT.

A: Avoid heatstroke-related injury and death by never leaving your child alone in a car, not even for a minute. And make sure to keep your car locked when you’re not in it so kids don’t get in on their own.

C: Create reminders by putting something in the back of your car next to your child such as a briefcase, a purse or a cell phone that is needed at your final destination. This is especially important if you’re not following your normal routine.

T: Take action. If you see a child alone in a car, call 911. Emergency personnel want you to call. They are trained to respond to these situations. One call could save a life.

Learn More

Learn more about heatstroke and other areas of safety in and around cars, including car seat safety, booster seat safety and seat belt safety; driveway safety; how to avoid getting trapped in the trunk; and how to prepare teens and preteens for driving before they get behind the wheel.

*Courtesy of: http://www.safekids.org/heatstroke

Amid chaos of Marathon Monday, pedicab driver was just what the doctor ordered for BMC surgeon

http://landing.newsinc.com/bostonherald/video2.html?freewheel=90017&sitesection=bostonherald&VID=24886971

Pedalling furiously, racing the wrong way down one-way streets, a Boston Pedicab driver has emerged as an unlikely unsung hero of the marathon bombings, ferrying a surgeon to the hospital when no one else could.

“You can get these things through traffic anywhere,” said Boston Pedicab driver Nicholas Viau. “You can hop over sidewalks, you can get in the smallest little areas.”

After the bombs went off on Marathon Monday, the cops had ordered Viau out of the Back Bay. He was headed back to Boston Pedicab’s shop in the South End when good fortune placed him in the path of someone who needed to be somewhere fast.

Dr. Jeffrey Kalish, Boston Medical Center’s director of endovascular surgery, had the day off to watch his wife run the marathon. After the bombs went off, his surgery team called. They needed him. Now.

“What they needed was more vascular surgeons that could handle blood vessel problems, amputations, just all of the things that they started to hear was going to be coming into the ER,” Kalish said. He hopped in a friend’s car.

They were less than two miles from BMC, but the streets were jammed. Kalish got out and started walking. But every minute counted. People’s lives and limbs depended on it. Then he saw the big bright green trikes.

“I figured that was going to be my quickest ticket in,” Kalish said. “I said, ‘Hi, my name is Jeff, I’m a vascular surgeon at Boston Medical Center,’ and one of them was nice enough to put me in his pedicab and we rode off.”

Viau wasn’t supposed to be taking riders. But when he heard who Kalish was, he ushered him into his cab.

Kalish described the wild emergency ride:

“I don’t think we even thought about the lights. I don’t think we thought about the one ways because there was no one on the roads.”

Away from Copley Square, the streets were “eerily quiet” and empty.

“I think we were flying,” Kalish said. “Definitely I know we were going the wrong way down East Newton Street.”

Viau said, “I figured, extenuating circumstances, you do what you have to do.”

“I had no idea what I was going to see,” Kalish said about the job ahead. He had hours of grueling surgery ahead of him.

They arrived at the hospital in minutes. With a handshake and a quick “good luck” from Viau, Kalish made his way into the operating room. “I wasn’t winded … physically I was in perfect shape.”

His patient had severe injuries to both legs, but Kalish was able to save them.

“That was one of the most awful days as a surgeon,” Kalish said. “My patient was the last one out of the operating room … it took a long time to get control of everything.”

But thanks to a Boston Pedicab driver, he was there when he was needed. “Nick,” Kalish said, “thank you very much.”

- See more at: http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2013/06/amid_chaos_of_marathon_monday_pedicab_driver_was_just_what_the#sthash.Ogxmmrbm.dpuf

Safety tips for fairs and carnivals

Carnivals, county fairs and street festivals can make for fun family outings. The nice weather beckons people outdoors, and weekend after weekend resourceful carnival goers can probably find a fair nearby. But revelers need to make sure their experiences are as safe as they are fun.

The Outdoor Amusement Business Association estimates 500 million guests visit carnivals, fairs and festivals each year. More than half of them participate in mobile amusement rides, among other recreational pursuits. Such pursuits can be fun, but they also can be dangerous, especially for young children. As a result, parents taking their kids along to enjoy this wholesome fun should consider the following precautions.

• Be prepared.

Research the fair or carnival and know what to expect when you arrive. How big is it? What are the types of attractions and what vendors will be included? What is the parking situation? Are strollers allowed? Knowing what to expect can make the occasion a little less stressful. If your child is old enough to understand, explain what the fair entails and how it can be crowded and noisy.

• Dress for the weather.

It is important to wear sturdy, comfortable footwear. Many carnivals are set up in fields or empty parking lots. There will be a lot of walking, and you want to be sure you are comfortable. Check the weather before going and dress for the temperature. Wear hats to shield your faces from the sun and lather on plenty of sunblock for protection. Avoid wearing any dangling clothes and jewelry. Tie back long hair to reduce your risk of accidents on rides.

• Identify security guards or a security kiosk upon entering.

Let children know where safety personnel are stationed. Establish a meet-up point that is very conspicuous should anyone get separated from the group. This central location will be checked first and should be easily identifiable for young children. Instruct the child to stay there until you find him or her.

• Put your mobile phone number in your child’s pocket.

Put your name or “Mom/Dad” on a sheet of paper with a contact number and put it in your son or daughter’s pocket. Should he or she get lost, the child can approach a security guard and give that person your phone number.

• Take a current photo of the kids.

Use your smartphone or camera to snap a picture of your children when you arrive at the event. This way you will have a method of helping others identify them should they get lost.

• Observe the rides in advance.

Watch rides before you get in line to try them out. Figure out if it is appropriate for a child and acclimate anyone who is nervous. Carnival rides often have a “you must be this tall to ride” sign at their entrance gates.

• Look for inspection stickers.

Carnival rides often have to be inspected for safety. If the ride doesn’t have a current inspection sticker, don’t ride it.

• Stay hydrated.

Pack plenty of bottled water for the day. Fairs make a lot of money on concession sales, and buying beverages all day can get expensive. Dehydration is common when spending hours outdoors in warm weather. It can make a person feel dizzy and sick to their stomach. If you feel thirsty, you already are dehydrated.

• Eat light.

If you will be riding a lot of rides, it’s better to eat light meals beforehand. Heavy, greasy foods in your stomach coupled with motion sickness can lead to trouble. Wait until after you have gotten your fill of the rides before indulging in funnel cake.

• Stick together.

It can be tempting to separate when you get to the carnival, as older children may not be interested in the same rides as their younger siblings. But separating increases the risk of someone getting lost.

• Seek shelter in a storm.

Thunderstorms can roll in unexpectedly. Remember, lightning will seek the easiest method to reaching the ground. Tall rides could be strike points. Get out of the weather and move indoors or to a car if possible.

Carnivals and fairs are staples of the warm-weather season across the country. These enjoyable outings are even more fun when families play it safe.

© 2013 Richmond Times Dispatch. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed

Courtesy of: http://www.timesdispatch.com/entertainment-life/weddings-celebrations/articles/safety-tips-for-fairs-and-carnivals/article_49b2f5f6-d2c9-11e2-b1e9-0019bb30f31a.html?mode=image&photo=0 

Health Check: Playground injury prevention begins with attentiveness

The neighborhood park is a natural draw for children and parents alike. Even a day when the weather is less than perfect can’t keep Christel Cluck stuck at home.

“I mean, this winter has been kind of brutal,” said Cluck, a nanny from Maple Grove. “So we just like to come out, run around, get some energy out.”

For many kids, letting out energy at the playground involves climbing on anything and everything.

“I definitely worry about broken bones,” Cluck added. “Especially, like I said, these guys are very active. So they fall a lot.”

According to Hennepin County Officials, she has reason to feel that way.

“The majority of the injuries we see happen from falls from high surfaces,” said Julie Philbrook, a trauma prevention specialist from HCMC. “So kids love to climb, they love to jump.”

The Centers for Disease Control reports that emergency departments nationwide treat more than 200,000 children for playground-related injuries each year.

“What we see most are fractures. Arm fractures,” Phibrook said. “You can also hit your head, and we will see those.”

It’s Philbrook’s job to prevent those injuries from happening. She says one of the places where a serious playground injury could occur is on a ladder.

“Flip-flops are a real problem with playgrounds as well as other places just because they’re not secure to the feet,” she said. “So they could lose their balance, fall between, and they could get strangled in this [ladder].”

Another key thing to look out for is the surface area of the playground itself.

“They’ve got the sand down, which is a great surface, but it probably needs to be replenished,” Philbrook said, referring to the surface at Golden Valley’s Brookview Park.

Philbrook says the more sand that’s on the ground, the more protection kids have if they take a spill.

“You’d want to have more surface below you, the higher you go,” she added.

But, she says the important thing for is for adults to be attentive and supervise their children.

“I always watch the kids as much as possible, no matter what,” Cluck said. “Because nowhere’s really safe.”

For more information, go to http://www.hcmcnews.org.

Kid’s Water Safety Tips

Kids and water: They may not want to drink a lot of it, but they sure love to play in it. Now that the magical season of summer is almost here, there will be a lot of children doing just that. While you may think you already know everything there is to know on water safety, it’s still a good idea for parents, guardians and babysitters to freshen-up on ways to help keep kids safe when around or in water.

The good news, according to a study published by the Bloomberg School of Public Health at John Hopkins University in 2012, is that more parents ARE paying attention to water safety. Children dying from drowning–related incidents have declined dramatically since the early 1990s.

Unfortunately, more than 1,000 U.S. children still die from drowning and another 5,000 are injured every year. Dying from drowning isn’t the only serious outcome that can occur. Nonfatal drowning can also result in brain damage and long-term disability.

Children less than 4 years old are most likely to die in drowning incidents, usually in bathtubs or after falling into water. Older children are more likely to drown while swimming, according to research cited in the study, with the risk rising in warmer regions of the South and West that have longer swimming seasons.

Let’s review a few water safety tips, provided by kidshealth.org, and USA Today News that may help your little one from becoming one of the heart-breaking statistics listed above.

Supervision: The number one rule for water safety and children is that an adult, preferably one who knows CPR, is overseeing any child or group of children in water – whether the water is in a bathtub, a wading pool, an ornamental fish pond, a swimming pool, a spa, the beach, or a lake. If you don’t know how to swim, learn. A parent or guardian who can actually enter the water and retrieve a child is able to respond faster, when a child is in trouble, than someone who has to wait for help to arrive.

Floatation Devices: Invest in proper fitting, Coast Guard-approved flotation devices (life vests) and use them whenever a child is near water. Check the weight and size recommendations on the label, then have your child try it on to make sure it fits snugly. For kids younger than 5 years old, choose a vest with a strap between the legs and head support — the collar will keep the child’s head up and face out of the water. Inflatable vests and arm devices such as water wings are not effective protection against drowning.

Pool Safety: If you have a pool on your property, you also have a huge responsibility when it comes to water safety. Unfenced or poorly fenced pools are magnets for small children, especially curious toddlers. A small child can slip out of the house and be in a pool in a matter of minutes. Check your fence thoroughly on a regular basis. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has pool fencing standards listed on their website at http://www.cpsc.gov.

Water Wisdom: Kids are not the best judges of safe play in and around water. They need guidance. Teach your child proper pool, lake and spa behavior. Let them know they should contact a pool guard or an adult if they witness an emergency.

Pushing, shoving, running around the perimeters of a pool and diving in without checking to see if someone else is in your line of projection are some examples of dangerous play. I know… it’s hard to keep kids from doing what they are most inclined to do, but that’s where being a responsible parent or guardian comes in. Just do it. Kids can still have a ton of fun without endangering everyone around them and themselves.

Lightening and bad weather: Get everyone out of the pool or lake and into a safe building immediately. Enough said.

Safety Equipment: Make sure you have a charged cell phone with you. You don’t want to have to find your phone when seconds count. It’s a good idea to have 9-1-1 programmed into your quick dial feature. If you have a call while you’re watching your kids – make it brief. You can always call them back once the kids are safely out of the water.

Have a long pole or a rope with a floatable device at the end, near the pool. These types of simple objects might be just the thing that saves a child’s life. Pool cleaning poles are great – they are usually pretty sturdy and can expand when needed.

Swimming lessons: If your child is going to be playing in or around water, make sure they know how to swim. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) used to recommend that you not begin formal swimming lessons until kids are at least 4 years old but they are no longer against aquatic programs and swimming lessons for younger toddlers and preschoolers between the ages of one to four years old.

While it’s great that your child knows how to swim, don’t let a false sense of security lesson your diligence when overseeing kids in the water. Many an adult and child have drowned that knew how to swim.

Water safety reminders: These facts aren’t listed to scare you so much that you deny your child the experience of playing in a pool or lake, but to remind you that things can change quickly and that’s why it’s so important to always be a diligent supervisor when little ones are in or around water.

- In 2006, 1100 children under age 20 died from drowning, and for every child who drowns, three or four receive emergency department care for near-drowning or non-fatal submersion injuries, some of which lead to serious injuries including brain damage.

- Most young children who drown do so in a home pool.

- Most of these children were left unsupervised for less than 5 minutes.

- Drowning usually occur in the summer months, from May to August.

- Drowning rates are highest on the weekends (Friday to Sunday) and at noon and 6pm.

If you own a pool and your child is missing- check there first. Go to the edge of the pool and scan the entire pool, bottom and surface, as well as the area around the pool.

Remove any toys that are left in the pool after the children get out. Toys floating in the water or sitting at the bottom of a pool are just too much of a temptation for toddlers and small children.

There are more in depth articles on the web that give more specifics regarding as pool fencing and water safety equipment. They are very helpful in explaining what works and what doesn’t.

So, enjoy the summer and the water – it’s refreshing and fun. And don’t forget the sunscreen!

 *Courtesy of: http://www.wfaa.com/news/health/kids-doctor/210684011.html