Sturgis Hospital recently donated Stop the Bleed Kits to Sturgis Youth Baseball, Sturgis Youth Soccer, Sturgis Black Hills Youth Football & Cheer, Sturgis Fastpitch Softball and the Sturgis Community Center. The kits contain implements often used in emergency situations, such as gauze and scissors. The effort is part of America’s Blood Centers and the American College of Surgeons “Stop the Bleed” program, a nationwide effort intended to increase preparedness, improve emergency response training and help stop preventable death by blood loss due to injury.
According to a press release provided by the South Dakota Department of Health, “South Dakota is the first state in the nation to ensure every Conservation Officer has received ‘Stop the Bleed’ training, setting a new standard for emergency preparedness in natural resources law enforcement. The South Dakota Department of Health, in collaboration with South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks, partnered with trauma hospitals across the state to provide this essential education to 80 Conservation Officers. These officers patrol the state’s parks, public lands, and waterways and are often first on the scene in remote or rural areas where access to emergency medical care may be delayed.”
Purchased by Monument Health, the eight donated kits will be standing by at concession stands and/or front offices (depending on the organization) should an injury occur.
Hondi Dunn, RN, Trauma Coordinator for Sturgis Hospital, facilitated the donation event. “At Sturgis Hospital, we treat many blood loss injuries, and we know that quick action at the scene can make all the difference,” she says. “With the Stop the Bleed kits, we are not only training our staff but also empowering the community to act fast and help prevent serious complications. These kits can reduce the time patients spend in the hospital and improve outcomes by getting them the right care when they need it most.”
Representatives from Monument Health also on hand included Mark Schmidt, President Sturgis and Lead Deadwood Hospitals, Angie Dahlke, Director Nursing Unit, Sturgis Hospital, Rikki Plaggemeyer, Nurse Manager, Sturgis Hospital and Russ Davis, RN, Trauma Services, Rapid City Hospital.
For more on the “Stop the Bleed” initiative: stopthebleed.org/.