CL-06: IT ONLY TAKES A FEW
Jane M. Hayes, BA, Erin G. Andrade, MD, MPH, Laurie J. Punch, MD; Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine

To bring the Stop the Bleed (STB) campaign to areas at high-risk for gun violence, we developed cost-effective versions of Bleeding Control 1.0 training and trauma first aid kits (TFAKs). Beginning as a team of only three instructors, we prioritized teaching medical professionals (MPs) as well as community participants (CPs) in our first ten months. As an incentive to volunteer, TFAKs were given to all MPs

We retrospectively reviewed the program’s course log to determine the number of MPs and CPs. We then compared participant totals to our registry of volunteer instructor.

In 10 months, the program has trained 1728 individuals, 876 MPs and 852 CMs. Fifty-four MPs have subsequently volunteered with us. Of those, 33.3% have volunteered at least twice and 10.8% have volunteered more than five times. By training an equal number of MPs and CPs, we have increased our potential teaching capacity 18-fold.

Dissemination of the STB campaign is limited by program capacity, participant engagement and access to TFAKs. Making the commitment to both train and equip participants has been central to the strategy of recruiting MPs to volunteer. Further reach of the STB campaign will require rigorous recruitment of MPs as well as effective community engagement.