"Stop the Bleed Day" with achievements and community initiatives, recognized by HCA Florida Blake Hospital

In recognition of "Stop the Bleed Day," recognized nationally on May 23, 2024, HCA Florida Blake Hospital proudly highlights the significant impact and ongoing efforts of its Stop the Bleed program. The Stop the Bleed initiative, launched in October 2015 following a call to action from the White House, aims to empower the public with life-saving skills to address traumatic bleeding emergencies.

Since the program’s inception, Blake’s trauma center has been at the forefront of this critical training, achieving remarkable milestones:

• Community Training: Since 2018, the hospital has trained over 10,000 community members in bleeding control techniques, ensuring a broad base of immediate responders in Manatee County.
• School Outreach: The program has provided training in over 18 schools throughout Manatee County. In addition, Blake has equipped all Manatee County schools with bleeding control kits, donating an additional 100 kits to the Manatee County School Board in 2024.
• Law Enforcement Training: The hospital has facilitated "Train the Trainer" classes, enabling the curriculum to be taught to all Manatee County Sheriff’s Department deputies, enhancing their preparedness to handle bleeding emergencies.
• Public Works Partnership: In collaboration with Manatee County Public Works, Blake has developed Stop the Bleed kits for over 100 work vehicles, ensuring first responders and workers are equipped to manage bleeding incidents.
• Fire Safety Collaboration: Partnering with Cedar Hammock Fire Inspector Adam Chrisman and Public Works Plans and Preparedness Coordinator Dan Harrison, Blake is bringing a Train the Trainer course to the Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association Conference in June 2024. This initiative aims to extend bleeding control training to fire marshals and inspectors across the state.

Megan Hawkins, the Blake’s Stop the Bleed program leader, stated, "Our goal is to make life-saving skills accessible to everyone in our community. By providing training and resources, we are building a safer environment where immediate response to bleeding emergencies can save lives."

Stop the Bleed Day serves as a reminder of the importance of preparedness and the value of community-wide efforts in emergency response. Jacqueline Droge, business teacher at Manatee School for the Arts, hosts a Stop the Bleed class for her students every year. “Unfortunately, we live in a world where we have to worry about gunshots and stab wounds being in school,” she said. “This is a great way to empower the students to take charge in emergency situations.”

For more information about the Stop the Bleed program or to schedule a training session, please contact Megan Hawkins at 941-567-2851 or Megan.Hawkins@HCAHealthcare.com.