The truth about trauma: common causes, treatment and prevention at Sentara

Think of a hospital trauma center and chances are you’ll picture gunshot wounds and stabbings. It’s understandable. Acts of violence make headlines. The truth is most traumatic injuries are accidental. Trauma Awareness Month in May is an opportunity for Sentara Health to share information on our trauma services, the injuries we see most often, and our efforts to prevent injuries.

Sentara operates three designated trauma centers in Virginia. There is the regional Level I center at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, which has the highest level of trauma certification. Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital and Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center in Woodbridge are Level III centers. They manage most of the trauma cases they receive in-house, with transfers to higher-rated facilities as needed.

“Trauma doesn’t follow a schedule,” said Ishraq Kabir, M.D., a general surgeon and medical director for trauma at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital.

“Our physicians, nurses, and support staff provide expert trauma care 24 hours a day, and we want to assure our community that they can depend on us when they need us most.”

‘It’s not just from violence’

Most of the injuries seen at Sentara trauma centers are from vehicle crashes and falls. Injuries from violence, including gunshot wounds, stabbings, and assaults, run a distant third.

For instance, Sentara Norfolk General Hospital treated 250 gunshot wounds in 2025. That was the lowest number since 2014 and reflected a steady decline in gun violence since a record high of 541 gunshot wounds in 2022.

On the other hand, there were 1,966 injuries from vehicle crashes and 1,110 injuries from ground-level falls. Among the fall patients, 799 were 65 years of age or older. The hospital also treated 306 burn cases in its Level I regional burn center.

“Virtually anyone, from any walk of life, can wind up in a trauma center through bad luck, carelessness, or reckless behavior. It’s not just from violence,” said Jay Collins, M.D., chief of trauma at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

“I’m thinking of two teenagers I treated who fell off speeding cars while they were trunk surfing. They suffered head injuries and road rash, but they survived with hard lessons learned.”

A trauma bay at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital.

Older adults face significant fall risks

On the other end of the age spectrum, older adults are living longer, and often alone, after the death of a spouse or a divorce. They can suffer traumatic injuries from falls.

Falling is something Lillian Peterson of Norfolk hopes to avoid. The 77-year-old retiree is in the Sentara SAFE falls prevention program on her doctor’s recommendation. She is learning how to be steadier on her feet from Physical Therapist Jessica Carmody.

“I’m finding that I have strength,” Peterson said, “but my gait is a little off. And I’m not as steady as before.”

She’s working on strength and balance so she can support her grandson, who lives with her.

“A fall can be the beginning of a long decline,” Carmody said. “Preventing falls can be the first step in making sure you maintain that level of function and quality of life.”

Carmody puts Peterson through a series of balance exercises, using parallel bars to steady herself while walking on wobbly platters and high-stepping over plastic cones, first forward, then sideways. Peterson understands the need to wake up her muscles.

“Sitting around watching TV just doesn’t do it,” Peterson said.

“Trauma affects every age group, but falls, especially in older adults, are one of the most common injuries we see,” said Dr. Kabir about patients at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital, which features a nationally recognized inpatient rehabilitation program.

“We play a critical role in stabilizing and treating injured patients close to home,” Kabir added. “Being part of the Sentara system ensures rapid access to a higher level of care when needed.”

The cost of trauma can be long-lasting

The effects of a traumatic injury can last a lifetime. Patients may stay days or weeks in the hospital and need corrective surgeries or skin grafts for burns. Recovery may include physical therapy and other rehab programs in the hospital, a rehabilitation center, or a skilled nursing facility. There may be months of outpatient rehab, lost wages, and maxed-out insurance benefits.

Brain injuries can cause life-long deficits in cognition and speech, and the ability to earn a living. Prolonged recovery can be a physical, emotional, and financial drain on family caregivers.

The theme of Trauma Prevention Month this year is “Stay Focused. Stay Safe.” The American Trauma Society says a moment of distraction while driving, biking, or even walking can lead to a life-changing traumatic injury.

“The ripple effects of trauma reach far and wide, and sometimes last forever,” said Dr. Collins. “Be safe out there, and let’s not meet by accident.”

Prevention is key

Sentara provides a variety of services to help prevent traumatic injuries and trips to the hospital. These programs target falls, safe driving, and violence prevention.

Norfolk Fire Department partners with Sentara for fall prevention

Sentara partners with Norfolk Fire & Rescue to help homeowners prevent falls in their homes. Upon request, the Norfolk Fire & Rescue provides home safety assessments to reduce fall risks. Sentara provides non-slip socks, safe reaching devices, and informative brochures that Norfolk Fire & Rescue distributes to citizens worried about falls.

Bingo-cize improves strength and balance

Bingo-cize is a fun program for senior groups that combines a Bingo game with chair-based or standing-in-place exercises for seniors. Gentle movement wakes up muscles, improves strength and balance, and reduces the risk of falling.

AARP Smart Driver courses refresh skills

The Sentara Norfolk General Hospital Injury Prevention team offers the AARP Smart Driver course. The course helps drivers over 50 refresh their skills and learn new rules of the road. The next class is Saturday, June 27 at Sentara Heart Hospital in Norfolk. The $20 fee includes lunch and refreshments. Call 1-800-SENTARA to register.

GRACY teaches consequences of reckless behaviors

GRACY is an acronym for Get Real About Choices and Consequences for You. It was founded at VCU Medical Center in Richmond and adopted by Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in 2025. The program takes small groups of people referred by traffic courts, family or themselves, and shows them the trauma center, the ICU, rehabilitation programs, and shares education about potential consequences for reckless behaviors. GRACY has a record of reducing recidivism.

Nightingale speeds trauma patients to care

Sentara’s Nightingale Regional Air Ambulance, based at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, plays a key role in moving gravely ill and injured patients from outlying hospitals and accident sites to high-level care during the “Golden Hour,” when trauma patients are most likely to survive. Strong partnerships with Emergency Medical Services agencies and community hospitals are paramount for the Nightingale program, which is now in its 44th year of operation as part of Sentara’s not-for-profit mission.

Stop the Bleed program trains people to help in a bleeding emergency

Classes designed by the American College of Surgeons’ Committee on Trauma teach civilians how to stop catastrophic bleeding from gunshots, stabbings, and accidental injuries using tourniquets and direct pressure where appropriate.

Foresight Violence Intervention Program supports survivors

The hospital-based Foresight Violence Intervention Program team at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital meets with survivors of violence, including gunshot wounds, stabbings, assaults and domestic violence, while they are still in the hospital. The program offers help with coping, relocation, education, job training and life skills to help change the trajectory of people’s lives for the better. They also assist the families of patients who die from their injuries.