Trauma Care & Education

More than 7,250 New Yorkers die each year because of injury. Injuries occur in predictable patterns, with recognizable risk factors, and among identifiable populations. We keep track of where, to whom, and why injuries occur across the region and use this information to develop injury prevention programs.

For more information about our injury prevention programs, contact the Trauma Education Outreach and Injury Prevention Coordinator at 518-262-1203, 518-262-5141 or [email protected].

Current Injury Prevention Initiatives at Albany Medical Center

Safe Kids Capital Region

A part of Safe Kids USA, is a coalition of public and private organizations working together to prevent injuries to children.

• The Child Passenger Safety Certification Training Program, certifies people as child passenger safety technicians and instructors. We conduct child safety seat checks, where parents and caregivers receive hands-on assistance with proper use of child restraint systems and safety belts.
• Safe Kids Buckle Up, which offers parents and caregivers hands-on instruction about safety inside the car (including information on car seats, booster seats and seat belts) as well as around the car (featuring the Spot the Tot program).
• Capital Region Safety Seat Inspection Stations. These locations are available through emergency response agencies, community organizations and more. To find a location near you, call 518-262-5141.
• Education surrounding car seat recommendations for children.

Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)

SBIRT is a comprehensive, integrated, public health approach to the delivery of early intervention and treatment services for persons with substance use disorders, as well as those who are at risk of developing these disorders. Primary care centers, hospital emergency rooms, trauma centers, and other community settings provide opportunities for early intervention with at-risk substance users before more severe consequences occur. SBIRT at Albany Medical Center includes:

• Screening which quickly assesses the severity of substance use and identifies the appropriate level of treatment.
• Brief intervention focuses on increasing insight and awareness regarding substance use and motivation toward behavioral change.
• Referral to treatment provides those identified as needing more extensive treatment with access to specialty care.

New York State Injury Community Planning Group (ICPG)

Albany Medical Center’s Injury Prevention Coordinator participates as a member of the New York State Department of Health Injury Community Planning Group. The goal  is to decrease the burden of injuries in the state and enhance statewide injury and violence program infrastructure. The ICPG is a work group dedicated to building a stronger infrastructure and a safer New York.

Fall Prevention

Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older Americans, resulting in more than 2.5 million injuries treated in emergency departments annually, including over 734,000 hospitalizations and more than 21,700 deaths.

Falling threaten seniors' safety and independence as well as generate enormous economic and personal costs. However, falling is not an inevitable result of aging. Through practical lifestyle adjustments, falls prevention programs, and clinical-community partnerships, falls among seniors can be substantially reduced.

Follow these recommendations to help prevent falls, and use this checklist to make sure you stay safe.