New Pediatric Injury Prevention Van Helps Keep Kids Safe

In 2015, more than 700 children were admitted to Brenner Children’s Hospital for injuries that could have been prevented. Some were severe or life-threatening, like injuries from a car accident or near-drowning. But many injuries occurred from everyday activities that are part of being a kid – like falling off a bike or trampoline.

As a Level 1 Trauma Center, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center is required to promote safety and injury prevention across the communities we serve. One of the ways we do this is through our Pediatric Injury Prevention Program, which works with community partners like local fire departments and schools to educate parents and families on how to prevent injuries and keep kids safe.

“Our new van is an eye-catching, fun way to get kids and their families engaged,” said Ginger Wilkins, RN, MSN, Manager, Pediatric Trauma Program, Brenner Children’s Hospital. “It’s a great example of the partnership between Brenner Children’s Hospital, Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma and Safe Kids Worldwide.”

In the late 1990s, our Medical Center became one of the sponsoring agencies for Safe Kids Worldwide, a global organization dedicated to preventing injuries in children. Wake Forest Baptist is the home of the Northwest Piedmont Safe Kids Coalition.

“Injury prevention happens with boots on the ground and wheels on the road,” said Luly Beckles, Pediatric Injury Prevention and Outreach Coordinator and Safe Kids Northwest Piedmont Coordinator. “We take injury prevention to Forsyth, Davie, Stokes, Davidson, Yadkin and any other surrounding counties where we serve trauma patients.”

“Many thanks to Brenner Children’s Hospital and the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma for their support of this valuable new addition to our trauma program,” said Wilkins.

https://www.brennerchildrens.org/Pediatric-Emergency-Department/New-Pediatric-Injury-Prevention-Van-Helps-Keep-Kids-Safe.htm