Pediatric surgeon Elizabeth Renaud, MD, and Brown Surgical Associates’ adult and pediatric trauma teams are on a mission to teach a crucial lifesaving skill—how to “Stop the Bleed.” They have been visiting schools across Rhode Island to conduct “Stop the Bleed” workshops -teaching modules developed by the US Department of Defense and licensed by the American College of Surgeons.
Severe bleeding can be fatal in as little as five minutes, yet fear and uncertainty often cause bystanders to wait for first responders. The “Stop the Bleed” program empowers individuals to take immediate action to control bleeding, potentially saving lives before paramedics arrive.
Dr. Renaud emphasized that this initiative is a collaborative effort between Brown Surgical Associates’ trauma team and medical students from the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.
“The students assist with organization and equipment while also participating in the training sessions,” she said. “Their enthusiasm has helped us expand ‘Stop the Bleed’ trainings in Rhode Island schools and advocate for legislation supporting training and equipment.”
Currently, Rhode Island requires students to complete CPR and AED training for graduation. Dr. Renaud and her team are working with legislators to secure funding to provide training and “Stop the Bleed” kits in schools, with the ultimate goal of making this program a graduation requirement.
