Trauma program expands to meet increasing demands for its expertise

Wednesday, October 10, 2007 - 12:14
Traumatic injuries are the leading cause of death and disability in children and adolescents. MCH Trauma provides comprehensive, interdisciplinary care designed to meet the multi-faceted, medical, surgical, nursing, early rehabilitation and psychosocial needs of children and teens who have sustained a traumatic intentional or non-intentional injury.

The following programs are part of MCH Trauma:
  • Trauma program: musculoskeletal; spine; thoracic; abdominal; pelvic; ocular; dental; poisoning; near drowning; etc. 
  • Neurotrauma program: brain, neck and spinal cord injuries.
  • Concussion and return-to-sports program
  • Burn trauma program
  • Injury prevention program

Last year, 14,000 new trauma patients were seen at the MCH Emergency Department. The number of children suffering traumatic injuries has been on the rise for the last several years. The Trauma Program is enhancing its injury prevention and advocacy initiatives so that it can better meet demands for its expertise and leadership in the area of injury prevention. As part of its expansion, the Trauma team is creating an injury prevention section on the hospital website (www.thechildren.com) and publishing an additional series of brochures on subjects such as burn prevention, water safety and holiday safety. In addition, members of the program are giving more lectures and talks to various community groups and sports associations.

“By drawing attention to the potential risks associated with common activities like riding a bike, swimming or diving, or playing hockey, and providing concrete recommendations, we hope to promote activity and prevent children’s injuries,” says Trauma Director Debbie Friedman. 

To support the expansion, The MCH Foundation is helping organize A Gust for Life, a fundraising cocktail and auction, which is being chaired by Laurie Rosenthal, whose son Daniel suffered a traumatic injury to his eye while playing paintball. Her goal is to increase public awareness and support our trauma centre’s initiatives in trauma care and injury prevention.

A Gust for Life
Thursday, November 8
6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
McCord Museum (690 Sherbrooke St. W.)
Tickets: $75
Information and ticket purchase: 514-412-4400, ext. 23310