1 December 2018
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
Well friends, it’s that me of year again. The me of year
when we reect on the past 12 months, spend extra me
with friends and family, and look forward to what 2019
will bring.
For Waterbury Hospital/Waterbury HEALTH, it has been a
year of signicant growth. We have expanded on the ser-
vices we provide the community, both in the hospital and
with our aliated partners throughout the region. Our
commitment to those we serve has never been stronger.
Part of our commitment to serving the health care needs
of the community is a solid and steadfast relaonship with
our EMS providers. It would be impossible for Waterbury
HEALTH to appropriately take care of our paents with our
partnership with you. The care EMS delivers in the eld is
truly inspiring. 24 hours a day, in all condions; EMS an-
swers the call. Each and every day, you make a dierence
in the lives of so many. Oen without any thanks or much
deserved recognion.
So, in case you haven’t heard this lately - THANK YOU! -
AMR, Campion, Waterbury Fire Department, Naugatuck
Ambulance, Wolco Ambulance, Beacon Hose Co.#1, Mid-
dlebury FD Ambulance, Bethlehem Ambulance, Woodbury
Ambulance, Southbury Ambulance, Thomaston Ambu-
lance, Heritage Village Ambulance, Plymouth Ambulance,
Oxford Ambulance, Seymour Ambulance, Bethany VFD
Ambulance, Watertown FD EMS, Harwinton Ambulance,
Bristol EMS, Litcheld Ambulance, Bantam Fire Depart-
ment, Goshen Fire Department, Northeld First Company
………..and anyone who we may have missed!!!
We connue to be inspired by your professionalism, skill,
and service to those who rely on you for amazing pre-
hospital care. We will always have your back.
From everyone at Waterbury Hospital/Waterbury HEALTH;
Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for a Happy New Year!
We look forward to working with you in 2019!
2 December 2018
Waterbury Hospital – Trauma Time
With winter at our doorstep, we must prepare for a com-
mon cold-weather injury: Falls!
Whether on a ladder or roof hanging lights, or slipping on
icy condions, falls can either be accidental or intenonal,
and several dierent factors should be idened in any
trauma paent that suered a fall:
The HEIGHT from which the paent fell – the median
height that leads to death is about 49 feet (that is
about a 4-5 story fall). Any higher than 85 feet has a
100% mortality.
The AGE of the paent – mortality increases with age
due to pre-exisng medical condions and decreased
physiological reserve.
The TYPE OF SURFACE the paent fell onto – mortali-
ty aer striking hard surface (pavement/concrete) is
nearly double (39%) that of hing a so one (grass/
water) (22%).
The BODY PART that touched the ground rst – pa-
ents that land in a prone posion have the highest
mortality (57%), followed by those striking their head
rst (44%). The best posion to fall is feet rst, which
has shown to have the lowest mortality (6%).
The CIRCUMSTANCES of the fall – suicide aempts
have the highest death rate at 46%, although this may
be accredited to pre-planning. Accidental falls have a
lower mortality of 17%.
Any INITIAL IMPACT before the nal impact – striking
wires or scaolding before the nal impact oers pro-
tecon, shown by a decreasing mortality from 37% to
15%.
Gaining this important informaon from the scene ul-
mately helps the trauma team pursue appropriate diag-
nosc techniques to pinpoint specic injuries that are as-
sociated with dierent types of falls.
Reference: hps://thetraumapro.com/2014/06/06/best-
of-what-you-need-to-know-about-falls-from-a/
Any quesons, thoughts, ideas, concerns, or feedback in regards
to the care of the trauma paent at Waterbury Hospital? Please
contact Monika Nelson, Trauma Program Coordinator –
monika.nelson@wtbyhosp.org
- Monika Nelson, MSN, RN, CEN
Flu Update
According to the CT DPH, the acvity for this u season
remains at “Regional” for week 49. Inuenza A is the
predominate type of u that is circulang. There have
been a total of 55 cases reported in New Haven County
with 1 death reported for all of Conneccut.
Upcoming Events:
Waterbury Hospital - CME - Jan 16, 4-8 PM
Praccal Skills Sessions for BLS and ALS Providers
Bizzozero Conference Room
Harwinton EMS - Call Jaclyn (860) 485-0544
2/11/2019 BLS CPR (6-9pm)
2/13, 2/15 - 2/17/2019 EMT / EMR Refresher
Waterbury Hospital - CME—April 18, 2019 12-4pm
Opioid Epidemic Conference presented by CT DPH and
OEMS in the Bizzozero Conference Room
Registraon is on the CT OEMS website
If you have any suggesons or quesons pertaining to EMS including paent follow-ups, please contact us at ems@wtbyhosp.org.
Twiage
If you have any ques-
ons regarding Twiage,
please contact us so that
we can get the program
working for you.
We Ocially Have Our New ED Director!!!
Carol Teixeira, MSN, RN, has been named Director of Nursing for the Emergency Depart-
ment at Waterbury Hospital. Carol has held several leadership roles at Yale New Haven
Hospital, St. Francis Hospital, and Bridgeport Hospital, including Director of Nursing for the
adult Emergency Department at Yale New Haven Hospital and Yale’s Shoreline Medical
Center Emergency Department, Nurse Manager of the Emergency Department at St. Fran-
cis Hospital, and Assistant Manager of the Emergency Department at Bridgeport Hospital.
Carol earned her BS and MS degrees in nursing from Sacred Heart University in Faireld.
She is a member of the American Organizaon of Nurse Execuves, as well as the Emergen-
