32 Years of Caring for Children

What is KPTI?

Thirty-two years ago an idea to develop a sustained program for the care of injured children was imagined by a group of visionary Kiwanians from Maine led by Hap Gerrish.

The Institute provides care for critically injured children, research to find better ways to treat and prevent injuries, and education about pediatric trauma.

This became a reality with the establishment of the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Institute at the Floating Hospital for Children in Boston.

A Brief History of KPTI

In 1981 The New EnglandDistrict of Kiwanis andTufts Medical Centerjoined together to providethe first comprehensiveprogram for the care ofinjured children.

KPTI became the model for trauma programs throughout the US and the world and has remained committed to this goal.

A Brief History of KPTIPart of the KPTI mission was to help establish helicopter transport of patients from around New England. The first helicopter-transported patient (a 14 year old boy injured in an explosion) was air lifted to the Floating Hospital in 1985.

Kiwanis clubs around New England helped establish landing pads at Tufts Medical Center and in their own communities.

What does the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Institute do?

KPTI is a combined effort of the New England District of Kiwanis and Tufts Medical Center to improve the lives of children through:

1. The treatment of pediatric trauma patients and their families

2. Research concerned with clinical and scientific aspects of pediatric trauma

3. Injury prevention education and outreach efforts

• Education for first responders (EMTs), nurses and doctors about the specialized care that pediatric trauma patients require.

• Physicians, nurses,technicians and staffprovide medical care forpatients. KPTI also providessupportive resources forpatients and families suchas overnight amenities,blankets, Keyclubby bears,toys, hospital dolls, safetyinformation, and otherservices and materials tomake a child’s hospital stayless stressful.

Patient Care Support

One of our patients, Alex, 15 years old, was admitted in May 2012. He was crossingthe street, was struck by a car and suffered a severe head injury.KPTI providedthe medical andsupportive careneeded for him andhis family to recoverfully from thisdevastating injury.

Patient Care Support

Pediatric Trauma Research

Clinical•How are CT scans being used in the ED?•Is this the best practice?

Basic Science•Is there a way to re-grow or repair injured nerve cells?

Injury Prevention• Programs are developed by KPTI and distributed to children and families in the community by Kiwanis Clubs throughout New England and Bermuda.

• The goal: Educate everyone about safe practices and behavior so that fewer children die or are seriously injured.

Injury Prevention Programs

6 prevention programs that target families with children ages birth through 15 years.*

1. Early Childhood Injury Prevention (ECIP)

2. Bicycle Safety – Classroom instruction – “I’M SAFE”

3. Bicycle Safety – Rodeo

4. Seat belt safety – B.E.L.T.S.

5. Anti-Bullying

6. Concussions

*Based on injuries seen in the Emergency Department

KPTI: A Unique Institution• First Pediatric Trauma Institute in the world to incorporate specialized pediatric trauma care, trauma research and injury prevention outreach.

• A model for Trauma Centers throughout the country.

• Largest and most comprehensive outreach initiative among Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Programs in the country.

What are people saying about KPTI?

American College of Surgeons:One of the strengths of the trauma program at the Floating Hospital for Children is “the relationship of Floating Hospital and the Kiwanis organization and their commitment to caring for injured children.

In addition [is] the superior andfar reaching injury preventionprograms and publiceducation programs that havebeen fostered from thisrelationship.”

Re-verification site visit report 2008 and 2011

Director:

Walter J. Chwals, MD Chief of Pediatric Surgery

Pediatric Trauma Nurse Coordinator:

Leslie Rideout, FNP, PhD

Injury Prevention:

Vicky Guerina, MFA

KPTI STAFF

Circle K and Key Club

How can my club participate?

• By using the safety programs and materials provided by KPTI at no additional cost to your club.

• By supporting the Kiwanis Foundation of New England which provides the funding that keeps our patient support and research active and allows us to provide safety outreach programs for your clubs.

• Contact us at 617-636-6381 or….

www.kpti.org

For more information visit our website:

www.kpti.org

Kennett High

School

Key Club