On Thursday, November 18, Reading Hospital will recognize the 2nd annual National Injury Prevention Day hosted by the Injury Free Coalition for Kids®. The day is designed to raise awareness about the burden of injury, violence, and the simple steps that can help prevent injury. According to the Injury Free Coalition for Kids, injuries are the leading cause of death and disability to US children ages one to 18 years old.
"At Reading Hospital, we see children in our emergency department with injuries that may be prevented with additional education," says Christopher Valente, MD, Chief, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at Reading Hospital. "Some of the most common injuries we see are children who are victims of falls, animal-related injuries, motor vehicle accidents, and those struck/hit by another individual. Initiatives like National Injury Prevention Day can keep the children in our community safe and healthy."
Jennifer Barney, Injury Prevention Outreach Coordinator at Reading Hospital, added, "Our Trauma and Emergency Medicine team is committed to educating the community on life-saving injury prevention. Currently, we are participating in the annual "Scratch Off" competition, developed to raise trauma awareness and education among Berks County students in grades four through eight. This year’s challenge themes are dog bites and fire safety." Projects are due by January 7, 2022 and prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third prize.
About Reading Hospital
Reading Hospital is the flagship, Magnet Recognized, acute care hospital of Tower Health. Located in West Reading, Pa., Reading Hospital is a 714-bed hospital that is home to many top-tier specialty care centers, including Reading HealthPlex, Tower Health Transplant Institute, McGlinn Cancer Institute, Miller Regional Heart Center, Emergency Department, Level I Trauma Center and Beginnings Maternity Center, which houses the region's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). With more than 1,000 physicians and providers across 49 locations, Reading Hospital has been recognized for its quality outcomes and clinical expertise across services lines. It is listed as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for five consecutive years and received a 5-Star Rating from CMS two years in a row. For more information, visit towerhealth.org.