SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., ― After providing free, hands-on Stop the Bleed training to the staff at local schools, Regional West is also providing free Stop the Bleed kits to the schools, thanks to a grant from Regional West Foundation.

Last year, Regional West Health Services joined a national effort to train citizens in all walks of life to control life threatening bleeding in emergency and crisis situations. Since then, staff at Scottsbluff, Gering, and Mitchell Public Schools has received Stop the Bleed training from a team of Regional West health care professionals.

“We really appreciated the training because it was provided directly by physicians and other health care providers. And while we’re always excited to have things to make our buildings more safe, we’re also grateful because this training may be valuable for an emergency outside of the schools − at work or at our homes,” said Gering Superintendent Bob Hastings.  

James Todd, Safety and Security Coordinator at Scottsbluff Schools said the district had been looking into purchasing Stop the Bleed kits for classrooms when Dr. Hughes surprised them by offering free training and kits for every classroom.

According to Trauma Program Coordinator Susan Wilson, RN, BSN, the schools received nearly 300 kits for distribution to the elementary, junior high/middle school, and high schools. Western Nebraska Community College will also receive a supply of kits. The kits contain a tourniquet, gloves, quick clot gauze, and marker to record the time the tourniquet is applied.

“This is a great project for the Foundation to support. It not only provides valuable training and tools to our educators, but it also offers an opportunity for our health care community and schools to work together on a project that is very worthwhile and could, perhaps, be lifesaving,” said John Massey, Regional West Foundation board chair. 

Julie Marshall, director of development at Regional West Foundation said the Foundation board of directors was eager to provide funding for the Stop the Bleed program.

“The thing that makes the Stop the Bleed program so beneficial is that it empowers bystanders at a mass casualty event to become participants in saving lives by learning the skills and basic tools necessary to stop uncontrolled bleeding. An ordinary person, with the proper knowledge, can help save lives, and Regional Foundation supports that effort,” said Marshall.

For more information about the Stop the Bleed program, contact Injury Prevention Nurse Coordinator Teresa Thomas, RN, BSN, at 308-630-1584.

To schedule a free Stop the Bleed training class, contact Regional West Trauma Program Manager Susan Wilson, RN, BSN, at 308-630-1557.

Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff, Neb., is the parent company of Regional West Medical Center, a 188-bed regional referral center and one of three Level II Trauma Centers in the state. As the region’s only tertiary referral medical center, Regional West offers care that spans more than 32 medical specialties provided by over 28 physician clinics. With nearly 300 providers, and over 2,000 employees, Regional West provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming.