Sentara Trauma Team warns of common summer injuries

Each year as the sun shines longer and the temperature rises, so does the number of trauma patients at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, the region’s level 1 trauma center, and Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital, a level 3 center.

 “There’s actually literature to support this. There is a seasonal variation in what we do. In the summertime months our volume definitely increases,” said Dr. Richard Myers, Sentara Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon. “We see a variety of different things. We see an increase in motorcycle accidents, mopeds, and car accidents. Unfortunately we see an increase in drunk driving accidents during the summertime months.”

In 2018, the Sentara Norfolk General Trauma Center treated 14 water-related traumas between June and August. These include boating and jet ski crashes, as well as diving into unknown waters or drowning.

“Every summer we’ll see a few people who drown,” said Dr. Jay Collins, Sentara/EVMS medical director of the trauma center. “Spinal cord injuries are a big thing too. A lot of people like diving into the ocean, boogie boarding, bodysurfing. Spinal cord injuries can be so serious they paralyze you for the rest of your life.”

The Sentara trauma team would like remind the community how dangerous some of these common summer injuries can be. The trauma center sees an increase in motorcycle accidents, drunk driving crashes, water-related injuries, ladder falls and more.

During June through August 2018, the SNGH trauma center treated 863 patients. As a Level 1 trauma center, doctors and multidisciplinary care teams are on call 24/7.

“Just these momentary decisions while you’re having fun can have a prolonged, dramatic, life-altering affect,” Dr. Myers said, “We really want everyone to have a safe, fun summertime here in Hampton Roads, and again, we’re here to take care of you if you need us.”