Being an adult Level I Trauma Center means we provide the highest level of specialty expertise for every aspect of an injury. Our trauma center covers every aspect of an injury, from injury prevention to rehabilitation. We also have a strong commitment to community planning and prevention, professional education and research.
Prevention is the best way to reduce traumatic injuries and save lives. As part of the being the adult Level I Trauma Center, we are committed to community injury prevention education. Froedtert & MCW nurses and Medical College of Wisconsin physicians reach out to the community with programs aimed at preventing behaviors that may result in injury. Programs include:
- Preventing Falls in Older Adults — Offers tips to help older adults make their homes safer to prevent falls
- Suicide Prevention — Find information on recognizing the warning signs of suicide and resources for where to find help.
- "Stop the Bleed" Training — You could be the difference between life and death. In the event of uncontrolled bleeding call 911, then put this training to use to "Stop the Bleed."
- Distracted and Reckless Driving — Learn how bad driving practices account for a large number of car accidents.
- Motorcycle Safety Essentials — Practice these motorcycle safety tips every time you ride.
"Choose Safe" Injury Prevention Resources
The best way to deal with the problem of trauma is to prevent injury in the first place. Our adult Level I Trauma Center takes a comprehensive approach to injury prevention. We offer a full range of programs and resources to help schools, families, community groups and other organizations educate children, adults and seniors on trauma safety.
"If It Happened to You" Trauma Scenarios — understand more about the reality of trauma and trauma causes to help make safer choices
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Downloadable Safety Posters
A picture is worth a thousand words. So is a powerful statistic. These printer-friendly posters feature memorable images and startling data that will help adults, teens and children think twice about risk-taking behaviors.
Drunk Driving
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Nearly 30 people die in the U.S. every day in car crashes involving a driver under the influence of alcohol. Drunk driving kills one person every 53 minutes.
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Distracted Driving
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Crashes involving a distracted driver kill 16 people and injure more than 1,300 people each day. Anything that takes your hands off the steering wheel — including fast food — is a distraction that can lead to serious injury.
Texting While Driving
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People who text behind the wheel are more likely to be in a car crash than other drivers. Nearly 20 percent of motor vehicle crashes involved distracted driving (2008). Sending a text message while you drive takes your hands off the steering wheel, your eyes off traffic and your mind off what you are doing. Texting while driving is illegal in Wisconsin.
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Illegal Substance Abuse
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According to a European study, driving with even a small amount of THC (the main psychoactive chemical in marijuana) in your bloodstream doubles your risk of being in a fatal crash. Drivers who tested positive for marijuana were more than three times as likely to be responsible for a fatal car crash. Source: Laumon, B. BMJ, Dec. 2, 2005, online first edition. News release, BMJ.
Falls
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Fall trauma is a growing problem in our society, due to risk-taking behavior and a growing aging population. One out of every three older adults (age 65 plus) falls each year. Approximately one-quarter of all senior falls result in an injury that restricts the person’s ability to get around or live independently.
Smoking
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Tobacco use causes 443,000 deaths in the U.S. every year. For every single death, 20 more people suffer from one or more serious smoking-related illnesses. People who smoke die an average of 13 years earlier than non-smokers.
Distracted Pedestrians
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Pedestrian distraction is a factor in many crash-related injuries. Distractions include talking on a cell phone and texting. There is one crash-related pedestrian injury in the U.S. every 8 minutes and one death every 2 hours.
Concussions
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A concussion is a form of traumatic brain injury, and no brain injury should be taken lightly. An estimated 300,000 traumatic brain injuries related to sports, most of which are concussions, occur in the U.S. every year.
Brain Injury
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One of the most concerning for trauma and critical care providers injuries is a head injury. Initially these types of injuries can look benign, but quickly become very serious. Simply wearing a helmet can help you avoid becoming one of the avoid becoming one of the 1.7 million people who sustain a brain injury every year.The Trauma Center would like to thank Schmidt & Bartelt Funeral and Cremation Services and Heritage Printing for helping to make this important community outreach possible.
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Trauma Risk Evaluation
How safe are you? Take our safety quiz to find out how you can reduce your risk of traumatic injury:
Play “20 Questions” to Learn Your Personal Trauma Risk
- Do you ever drive a car or motorcycle while under the influence of alcohol?
- Do you ever drive while under the influence of illegal drugs?
- Do you ever drive or operate machinery while using prescription drugs that could impair alertness?
- Do you ever drive too fast?
- Do you ever send or read text messages or e-mails while you are driving?
- Do you ever talk on your cell phone while you are driving?
- Do you ever drive or ride in a car without wearing a seatbelt?
- Do you ever ride a motorcycle without a helmet?
- Do you ever ride a motorcycle without protective clothing?
- Do you ever ride a bicycle without wearing a helmet?
- Do you ever rollerblade or skateboard without a helmet?
- Do you ever jaywalk or fail to observe crossing signals when walking?
- Do you ever text or talk on a cell phone while walking near traffic?
- Do you ever listen to music with headphones or ear buds while walking near traffic?
- Do you ever engage in sports or recreational activities without an appropriate helmet and protective gear?
- Do you ever walk alone in isolated locations?
- Do you ever park your car in isolated or poorly visible locations?
- Does your home have any throw rugs that could cause you to trip?
- Does your home lack proper lighting and secure railings and grab bars?
- Do you ever use a ladder even though you have impaired physical abilities?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you have an opportunity to decrease your risk of injury. Every affirmative answer indicates an area of dangerous activity or home hazard. Changing your behavior or modifying your environment will reduce your risk of traumatic injury and increase your safety and the safety of your family.
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Safety Video
Learn facts and simple practices that can prevent injury, save lives and reduce disability.
Helmet Safety
Watch our fun Helmet Safety Video for an unforgettable look at the importance of wearing protective head gear while cycling, skateboarding, rollerblading and motorcycling.
Customized Presentations
Does your community group, care center or business need support with a special safety program? Trauma Center experts are able to develop customized presentations on specific aspects of injury prevention and injury care. To find out more, contact us at 414-777-7700 or 800-272-3666.
Disaster Planning
Froedtert & MCW staff is involved in disaster planning for the region by participating in community disaster exercises involving police, emergency medical services and other hospitals. The scenarios differ with each exercise. The hospital simulates victims with by using volunteers or “paper” patients.
