Stop the Bleed Training Program for Non-Healthcare Professionals in a Professional Environment
Abstract | Presenter Information | Presentation Materials
Abstract
Whether from mass shootings or smaller scale events, trauma is the leading cause of death in the United States for adults over 46, primarily from severe bleeding. This is why the Stop the Bleed campaign has been developed by Department of Homeland Security, the American College of Surgeons, and others. While the Stop the Bleed campaign has gained nationwide attention, there is no standard curriculum and instructor guide to deliver the training to non-medical personnel.
The Boston Public Health Commission, through its DelValle Institute for Emergency Preparedness, has led an effort to design a Stop the Bleed training program to be used throughout Greater Boston. This program is designed for non-medical professionals who may be required to intervene to stop severe bleeding within their professional environment – including as Medical Reserve Corps volunteers, teachers, security officers, or human services professionals. The intent of this program is to create an easily replicable training with the goal of distributing this crucial skill widely throughout the community.
This 90-minute course provided bleeding control education and training to the non-medical workforce. The course content is based on the Stop the Bleed campaign, selected resources from similar national efforts, as well as field experience and empirical evidence from the 2013 Boston Bombing and other incidents. The material and techniques for this program have been simplified and designed for layperson delivery and comprehension/ retention. The course was delivered primarily through the use of lectures with practical activities. Session attendees gained access to the training materials and instructor guides.
Learning Objectives
- Recall initial actions to care for victims experiencing severe bleeding.
- Apply direct pressure, commercial tourniquets, and improvised tourniquets as needed in order to control severe bleeding
- Access training materials to deliver Stop the Bleed training in their own communities
Presenters
Brian Pomodoro, EMT-IC
Senior Program Manager, Disaster Response Training
Boston Public Health Commission/Boston EMS
Mea Allen, MA, M.Ed
Associate Director, Education and Training