Trauma Team Helps One of Their Own

The Washington Health Trauma Center opened last year. Obviously, this local resource is invaluable to patients who suffer severe injuries from stabbings, serious falls, or car or bike accidents. But what exactly does having a local trauma program mean for you if you’re a fairly healthy person who feels reasonably safe in their day-to-day life and does not participate in any risky sports or activities?

In fact, many of the trauma patients are local citizens who were going about their daily routines and experienced a shocking, unexpected accident. One such patient is Shari Kellen who is not only a local resident, she is a nurse at Washington Health.

Daily Dog Walk Turns Traumatic

Niles resident, 54-year-old Shari Kellen, recently found out firsthand how a local trauma center can bring a sense of security following an injury. Shari was walking her two dogs one evening in December when something unexpected happened. She was crossing the street and saw a car coming that seemed to speed up. As she began to run, her dogs jerked the new bungee leash they were attached to, making Shari fall hard onto her knee. “It was seriously bleeding and was so painful. I was stunned and I didn’t know if I had broken my knee,” said Shari.

To make things worse, Shari didn’t have her cell phone and no one was stopping to see if she was all right. She had to make her way home basically hopping on one leg with her dogs in tow!

Luckily, Shari was “in the know” about the recent opening of Washington Health’s Trauma Center since she has been a Washington Hospital employee for 31 years, currently as an Infusion Center Nurse Manager. Along with all her colleagues and fellow clinicians, Shari had received training earlier in the year about the hospital’s transition to a trauma center. While her injury was not life threatening, Shari knew serious falls are considered traumatic injuries, and if she needed surgery or prompt access to an orthopedic specialist, it would be available to her.

Shari’s partner brought her to the Washington Health Emergency Department where she was examined and had X-rays taken of her knee, which thankfully showed no fractures. The bleeding was brought under control and she received several stitches to close the wound. “Everyone was very gentle, kind, efficient, and informative,” said Shari. “Despite the situation, it turned out to be a good experience.”

In addition to receiving the care she needed promptly, Shari was impressed with how the trauma team discussed with her why her accident may have happened and what she could do to prevent something like this from occurring in the future. They talked about how it is safer to walk the dogs in daylight, wear sturdy shoes, only cross the street when no cars are in sight, and always bring along her cell phone for safety. Along with providing immediate, comprehensive care to those with complex injuries, the trauma program has a mission of providing education on traumatic injury prevention.

“Through my training about working at a trauma center facility and especially after my own recent experience as a trauma patient, I now realize just how important it is for our community to have access to immediate lifesaving care close to home,” concluded Shari.

To read more about the Washington Health Trauma Center, go to WashingtonHealth.com/Trauma