Celebrating Injury and Violence Prevention!
Injuries and Violence both rank within the Top 5 causes of morbidity and mortality according to the CDC. These causes are PREVENTABLE. In fact, preventing injuries is the first step in the trauma care continuum. Educating the public and communities as well as providing adequate resources and support helps to mitigate risk factors and allows change to occur.
As designated Trauma Centers, both Carilion New River Valley (CNRV) and Carilion Roanoke Memorial (CRMH) Hospitals must demonstrate an injury prevention program. Additionally, CRMH has a program that specifically targets victims of violence and helps them to recover and gain resilience. These programs are run by prevention specialists who utilize data to identify common mechanisms of injury and community needs. They then implement education programs and facilitate resources to maximize and maintain safety and a healthy lifestyle
Carilion Clinic employs 7 staff members across their two trauma centers dedicated to injury and violence prevention. This does not include the many staff members who volunteer to assist with the prevention activities provided by these programs and Carilion Clinic across our service area.
Injury Prevention and Outreach
The Injury Prevention and Trauma Outreach Programs provide education on various subjects for all ages including (but not limited to):
- Fall prevention
- Motor Vehicle and Motorcycle Safety
- Concussions in youth sports
- Bike/skateboard safety
- Child passenger safety & car seat safety checkups
- Seasonal injuries such as those related to swimming & water sports
- Fire safety
- Poison prevention
- Choking, suffocation and strangulation safety
- Holiday safety
Violent Injury – Recovery & Support (VIRS) Program
The Violent Injury Recovery and Support Program or VIRS provides support to patients who have become victims of a violent injury. It is comprised of a program manager and two violence intervention specialists who have been operating at full capacity since January 2024. They meet with patients at the bedside and in their homes and communities after providing intensive case management for up to one year after discharge. Since January, the VIRS Program has provided over 125 hours of direct services to 31 patients through bedside and home visits.
Please join Trauma Services and Carilion Clinic as we show our appreciation for these dedicated individuals!
