May is a time when the weather changes. Many people are active and spend time traveling, adventuring outdoors, and taking in the warmer, longer days. May is also Trauma Awareness Month and given the increase in activity, the perfect time to review the most common causes of serious injuries in our area and the everyday steps that can help prevent them.
What is a Traumatic Injury?
Trauma is the medical term for a serious injury. It can be caused by a car crash, a fall, violence, or a recreational accident. Even when someone survives, recovery may involve surgery, rehabilitation, follow-up visits, and time away from work or school.
When an individual experiences a traumatic injury, time is of the essence, and the goal is to ensure they received the highest level of specialty care as quickly as possible. Trauma centers are designated hospitals that care for patients with severe, life-threatening injuries. Designations range from Level I, which is the highest and most comprehensive, to Level IV, which is the lowest. Staff at trauma centers have advanced training and available 24/7 to evaluate major injuries and quickly coordinate needed care such as imaging, surgery, and critical care — while also planning for the next steps in recovery.
Common Injury Risks and Prevention Basics
Having access to a trauma center is a benefit to the community, but as a trauma injury prevention coordinator, our goal is to help you stay safe so that you don’t need us. While not every injury is avoidable, there are some common types of injuries that we focus on for prevention:
– Falls: home safety steps, balance and strength, and medication review for older adults
– Motor-Vehicle Safety: correct car seats and booster seats, and consistent seatbelt use
– Helmet Safety: biking, motorcycles, ATVs, and many sports and outdoor activities
– Safer Driving Habits: avoiding distraction, impairment, and fatigue
– Violence Prevention: conflict de-escalation, secure storage of weapons, and connecting people to support services
These steps can reduce the chance that a quick mistake turns into a life-changing injury.
Recovery Takes Time
Trauma Awareness Month is also a reminder that recovery doesn’t end when a patient leaves the hospital. Many people need rehabilitation and follow-up care, and some are adjusting to long-term changes in mobility, pain, or daily routines. Trauma recovery is not a solo endeavor. Families and caregivers are part of that process, too. Support from friends, first responders, and health care teams can make a difference.
Quick Safety Reminders
As you head out and get active, here are a few safety reminders you can take action with today:
– Wear a seatbelt every time, in every seat.
– Use the right car seat or booster seat for a child’s age and size and follow the seat’s instructions.
– Wear a helmet for biking and when riding ATVs or similar vehicles.
– Lower fall risks at home by clearing walkways, improving lighting, and using handrails on stairs.
– Drive sober, rested, and phone-free.
Trauma care is there when the worst happens, but prevention is where most of us have control. During Trauma Awareness Month, consider picking one safety habit to review at home and sharing it with someone who could use the reminder.
This is where trauma survivor support groups help foster a secure environment where healing can occur through shared experience, validation, and peer support. These groups provide a unique space where individuals can practice trust and develop new, healthier coping mechanisms in a safe setting. Many trauma centers have dedicated trauma support groups or network resources.
by Kayla Keen, RN
Trauma Injury Prevention Coordinator, UPMC Williamsport
Kayla Keen, RN, is the trauma and injury prevention coordinator for UPMC Williamsport, a Level II trauma center. The Trauma Survivors Network is now available as a resource for patients and families navigating recovery after a traumatic injury. For more information on acute care and trauma services at UPMC hospitals in north central Pennsylvania, go to UPMC.com/TraumaNCPA.
