The Role of the Emergency Nurse in Injury Prevention Position Statement-The Role of the Emergency Nurse in Injury Prevention Position Statement

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The role of emergency nurses in injury prevention is crucial, as unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for individuals aged 1-44 in the US. Worldwide, more than five million people die each year as a result of injury events. In the past, injuries were thought to be non-preventable, but evidence shows that there are predictable patterns to injuries that can be addressed through prevention efforts. Despite advancements in technology and safety equipment, failure to use protective measures in various settings continues to contribute to preventable deaths and injuries. Violence and high-risk behaviors also play a significant role in injury statistics. Emergency nurses have a unique position to promote injury prevention education to patients, caregivers, and support systems at the time of injury. Preventable injuries not only result in loss of life, but also have a huge financial impact, costing nearly three-quarters of a trillion dollars annually. The science of prevention is based on the Haddon Matrix, which categorizes the different phases of injury and emphasizes the importance of addressing human, socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental factors. Effective prevention measures are multidisciplinary and involve strengthening individual knowledge and skills, community education, provider education, coalition building, policy influence, and evidence-based programs. The Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) supports injury prevention efforts and believes that emergency nurses can play a key role in preventing injuries through education, advocacy, and collaboration with other specialists and community resources. The ENA also advocates for the establishment of trauma care systems, the promotion of a safe work environment, and violence prevention.

Meta Tag

injury prevention education

injury prevention disease prevention

injury prevention social determinants

injury prevention healthy

Keywords

emergency nurses

injury prevention

unintentional injuries

leading cause of death

predictable patterns

prevention efforts

technology and safety equipment

protective measures

preventable deaths

high-risk behaviors