ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL'S LEVEL I TRAUMA CENTER AND BLOOD SERVICES TO HOST STOP THE

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital's (RWJUH) Level I Trauma Center and RWJUH Blood Services will host a joint blood and platelet drive and Stop the Bleed training on Thursday, May 22 in recognition of May's designation as National Trauma Awareness Month. RWJUH is an RWJBarnabas Health facility.

The blood drive takes place from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. with Stop the Bleed training sessions at 12 noon, 1:30 p.m., and 3 p.m. Both events will be held in RWJUH's Courtyard, One Robert Wood Johnson Place, New Brunswick, NJ 08903-2601.

Appointments to donate blood are available online at www.rwjuhdonorclub.org or by calling 732-235-8100, ext. 221 or 248. To register for the Stop the Bleed training, please contact diana.starace@rwjbh.org.

As one of only three state-designated Level I Trauma Centers and a Level II Pediatric Trauma Center, RWJUH cares for thousands of patients with complex, traumatic injuries each year. On average, a trauma patient can receive 50 units of blood products (red cell, platelets, and plasma). Trauma cases at RWJUH use between 12 and 15 percent of all blood products released by Transfusion Services.

Stop the Bleed encourages bystanders to become trained, equipped, and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency until professional help arrives. In some cases, the person next to a bleeding victim may be the one who's most likely to save him or her from bleeding to death. By learning how to STOP THE BLEED®, individuals gain the ability to recognize life-threatening bleeding and act quickly and effectively to control bleeding. The training involves teaching three techniques in addition to first calling 9-1-1:

• Apply Pressure with Hands
• Pack Wound and Press
• Apply Tourniquet

RWJUH has offered the training since 2018, partnering with Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers School of Nursing, and community organizations such as the Somerset County Board of Agriculture, senior living communities, utility agencies, middle schools and high schools, and day care centers.

To organize a Stop the Bleed training with your organization, please utilize this link to provide your contact information: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RWJstopthebleed

Story Credit: Jacob Turchi
Photo Credit: Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital