1. How was “Pediatric Trauma Care” started?
In 1995, a group of doctors and concerned parents decided to help set up the appropriate infrastructure needed to stop accidents from being the leading cause of death and permanent disability of children in Greece.
Thus in May of the same year, a non profit making association was founded named “Initiative for the Creation of a Pediatric Trauma Center.” On the 25th of September 1998, its name was changed to “Pediatric Trauma Care” .
On the 22nd June 1999, “Pediatric Trauma Care” changed its legal status from a non-profit association to a non-profit organization.
2. What exactly is the mission of the non-profit making organization “Pediatric Trauma Care”?
The mission of “Pediatric Trauma Care” is to stop accidents being the leading cause of death and disability of children in Greece. This can be achieved by organizing a Comprehensive Paediatric Accident and Emergency System for all the children in Greece with the cooperation of the Public and Private sectors.
3. Does statistical information exist which proves that accidents are the leading cause of death in children in Greece?
There is no doubt that accidents are the leading cause of death in children in Greece, as in all other developed countries.
However, in October 2007 “Pediatric Trauma Care” started a Pilot Study of Paediatric Trauma Cases, to create a Paediatric Trauma Registry. This study was co-financed by the Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity. The registration began on October 3rd 2007 at the “Aghia Sophia” Children’s Hospital and on November 19th 2007 at the “University Hospital of Patras”, at the “Karamandaneio” Children’s General Hospital and at the “Aghios Andreas” General Hospital of Patras. In addition, this research started on February 1st 2008 at the General Hospital of Thessaloniki “G. Gennimatas”. The project was completed on October 31st 2008.
This study confirmed the studies of other countries, according to which accidents are definitely the leading cause of death in children.
For statistical information, “Pediatric Trauma Care” turns to the National Statistical Service of Greece and CEREPRI (Center for Research and Prevention of Injuries Among the Young).
Click here for Statistical Info [ Leading causes of death (age 0-19).
4. What do you mean by “Trauma Center”?
All emergency cases reaching the Hospital go directly to the Trauma Center. The Trauma Center is the link between pre-hospital and in-hospital care. Its main goal is to stabilize the injured child. This unit must have all the necessary equipment to save the child’s life.
5. Golden Hour: What does this mean for a child ?
The “Golden Hour” is the amount of time a seriously injured child has to find help before succumbing to his injuries. In the western world all the Paediatric Hospitals have Trauma Centers. The place where a child is taken to be stabilized first and foremost, before all the necessary tests are done and help is provided.
6. What are the activities of “Pediatric Trauma Care” in the field of Children’s Accident Prevention?
It is a proven fact, that a continuous and effective Accident Prevention Program can reduce up to 50% children’s accidents and their consequences. For this reason, “Pediatric Trauma Care” is involved with the development of the necessary infrastructure needed to make Greece a safe country for children.
Simultaneously, “Pediatric Trauma Care,” is involved with educating children on the subject of Accident Prevention, because it is important that from a very young age, they should learn to recognize the dangers around them and protect themselves from them.
“Pediatric Trauma Care” is also in the process of developing an effective children’s Accident Prevention Media Campaign, which will greatly influence the mentality of both children and adults with regards to children’s accident prevention.
7. How does “Pediatric Trauma Care” assist in the training of medical personnel?
“Pedtrauma” partially finances A.P.L.S. (ADVANCED PAEDIATRIC LIFE SUPPORT) and P.L.S. (PAEDIATRIC LIFE SUPPORT) seminars, that are organized by APLS Hellas and APLS Crete, in which specialized doctors train surgeons, doctors, nurses, and Ambulance Paramedics in how to treat an injured child the fastest and best way possible (Medical Seminars Program “Leonidas Georgopoulos”).
See photos of the seminars here.
8. If a child has an accident can I call “Pediatric Trauma Care” for help?
“Pediatric Trauma Care” is not an Accident and Emergency Unit that deals directly with injured children. It is a non-profit making organization whose aim is to set up, in collaboration with the Public and Private Sectors, a Comprehensive Paediatric Accident and Emergency System for all the children in Greece.
9. Why do children need specialized transportation?
Injured children cannot be handled the same way as adults. They differ both physically and mentally. For instance, because a child’s body contains a much smaller quantity of blood, in the case of a severe hemorrhage, it is in greater danger than an adult.
Whether the injured child is transported by ambulance or helicopter, this must be properly equipped to deal with children’s needs (e.g. it must have a child-sized oxygen mask because a larger one will not fit properly on a child’s face and is therefore useless). To be effective, medical personnel accompanying the injured child must be specially trained to deal with paediatric accident and emergency cases.
Swift and correct transportation of the injured child, in conjunction with on-the-spot emergency care, can reduce children’s death rate during transportation, from 62%, which is the present rate in Greece to 5%. It also helps to avoid aggravating the injured child’s condition.
“Pediatric Trauma Care” is involved in the organization and development of paediatric transportation, which at present, is virtually non-existent in Greece.
10. Which other similar organizations does “Pediatric Trauma Care” collaborate with?
“Pediatric Trauma Care” has contacts with many similar organizations, foundations, etc. both in Greece and abroad. The serious problem of children’s accidents affects everyone and therefore we should all work together to stop accidents being the leading cause of death and disability in children.
National Collaborations (in alphabetical order) from 01/01/2000:
- APLS Crete
- APLS Hellas
- AIESEC
- Bodossaki Foundation
- Center for Research and Prevention of Children’s Accidents
- Foundation for the Child and the Family
- Hellenic Association of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology
- HYGEIA – Diagnostic and Therapeutic Center of Athens
- “Marika Iliadi” Foundation
- Merimna – Society for the Care of Children and Families in Sickness and Death
- NetKids
- Open Schools, City of Athens
- PNOI – Friends of Child Intensive Care is a non-profit association
- Road Safety Institute «Panos Mylonas»
- Soma Hellinikou Odigismou – The Greek Guiding Association
- Soma Hellinon Proskopon – Scouts of Greece
- Stavros Niarchos Foundation
- The Smile of the Child
- TITAN Cement Group S.A.
- Traffic Accident Support Company
- Urgent Need Seamstresses
International Collaborations (in alphabetical order) from 01/01/2000:
- Asia Injury Prevention Foundation (Vietnam)
- BAG Kindersicherheit (Germany)
- CAPT – Child Accident Prevention Trust (Great Britain)
- European Resuscitation Council (Belgium)
- Safe Kids Campaign (USA)
- Safe Kids Canada (Canada)
- Safe Kids New Zealand (New Zealand)
- The Johns Hopkins University Hospital (USA)
Sponsors, Supporters and Collaborations
11. How can someone help “Pediatric Trauma Care” financially?
As a Non-Profit Organization, the Charity “Pediatric Trauma Care” is financially dependent on the annual membership subscriptions, donations, sponsorships, and the fundraising events it organizes. The Charity does not receive any government funding.
If you wish to support our Charity, you can:
– make a donation
– make a donation “in memory of” or a “donation of joy”
– become a sponsor by purchasing equipment for the Paediatric Departments
– become a member
12. How does one become a member of “Pediatric Trauma Care”?
It is easy to become a member of “Pediatric Trauma Care”. You may start by filling-in the Membership Form.
The annual Membership subscription is 60 Euro and the lifetime subscription is 500 Euro. Please inform the office of “Pediatric Trauma Care” when payment has been made so that the relevant receipt and Membership Card can be sent to you.
13. How can someone become a volunteer for “Pediatric Trauma Care”?
The Charity “Pediatric Trauma Care”, like all non-profit organizations, always welcomes the help of volunteers. Anyone wishing to help the Charity can contact us at the following telephone numbers: 210-6741933 and 210-6743950 or send us an e-mail at [email protected].
14. Does “Pediatric Trauma Care” give First Aid Courses?
At this stage “Pediatric Trauma Care” does not give First Aid courses.
Pedtrauma partially finances A.P.L.S. (ADVANCED PAEDIATRIC LIFE SUPPORT) and P.L.S. (PAEDIATRIC LIFE SUPPORT) seminars, that are organized by APLS Hellas and APLS Crete, where specialized doctors train surgeons, doctors, nurses, and Ambulance Paramedics on how to help the injured children the fastest and best way possible (Medical Seminars Program “Leonidas Georgopoulos”).
First Aid Courses can be given by APLS Hellas, in agreement with the interested party.
