Hospitals in Action >> Case Examples

SIGNATURE HEALTHCARE, Brockton, MA
Youth Athletic First Responder Program

What is it?
The Youth Athletic First Responder Program addresses the issues of why sports tragedies occur, inherent dangers, and injury prevention.  Basic CPR, automatic external defibrillator (AED) use, and a question-and-answer period are also part of the program. The program is co-presented in Signature Healthcare's primary service area towns, by emergency department physicians and nurses, along with the town's fire department. Hundreds of participants have been trained. One participant ended up performing CPR and assisting responders with an AED only two weeks after the program, saving her co-worker's life.

Who is it for?
The program is for youth sports coaches, players, and parents who could serve as a first responder during a traumatic injury or sudden cardiac arrest.

Why do they do it?
Each year, a growing number of youth athletes suffer sudden cardiac arrest while playing sports. In such cases, immediate attention by first responders can mean the difference between life and death.

Contact: Rob Brogna
Manager, Media Relations
Telephone: 508-941-7297
E-mail: rbrogna@signature-healthcare.org